from his mount without waiting for the animal to come to a stop.

"I am," was the officer's brief response.

"You are ordered to proceed forward at once under full speed," was the
command. "The Tenth Royal Dragoons are hemmed in by at least 10,000
Germans two miles ahead, and unless you arrive in time they will all be
slaughtered."

The officer in command of the train looked hurriedly about.

"Hicks!" he called loudly. "Hicks!"

There was no reply, and the officer shouted again. Then Hal
stepped forward.

"If Hicks was your engineer," he said, "there is no use calling him.
He is dead."

"Dead?" exclaimed the officer.

"Yes; that shell struck right beside him. The fireman also was killed."

"Great Scott!" exclaimed the officer. "Then what am I to do? Hicks was
the only engineer with us right now. The others have gone to their
quarters, and by the time I could get them here it would be too late."

"Well," said Hal quietly, "if you want a volunteer, I am willing to
tackle it for you."