Ralph on the Overland Express

Ralph with some surprise and considerable interest noted the intruder, who had mounted the tender step just in time to thwart the quarrelsome designs of Lemuel Fogg. As to the fireman, he wheeled about, looked ugly, and then as the newcomer laughed squarely in his face, mumbled some incoherent remark about "two against one," and "fixing both of them." Then he climbed up on the tender to direct the water tank spout into place.

"What's the row here, anyhow?" inquired the intruder, with a pleasant glance at Ralph, and leaning bodily against the fireman's seat.

Ralph looked him over as a cool specimen, although there was nothing "cheeky" about the intruder. He showed neither the sneakiness nor the effrontery of the professional railroad beat or ride stealer, nothwithstanding the easy, natural way in which he made himself at home in the cab as though he belonged there.

"Glad you happened along," chirped the newcomer airily. "I'll keep you company as far as Bri