caboose, evidently to have a look at the stock. Dave ate some crackers
and cheese, climbed to the roof, and with a lantern hanging on his arm
moved forward.

Already a few of the calves, yielding to the pressure in the heavily
laden cars, had tried to escape it by lying down. With his prod Dave
drove back the nearest animal. Then he used the nail in the pole to twist
the tails of the calves and force them to their feet. In those days of
crowded cars almost the most important thing in transit was to keep the
cattle on their legs to prevent any from being trampled and smothered to
death.

As the night grew older both men were busier. With their lanterns and
prod-poles they went from car to car relieving the pressure wherever it
was greatest. The weaker animals began to give way, worn out by the
heavy lurching and the jam of heavy bodies against them. They had to be
defended against their own weakness.

Dave was crossing from the top of one car to another when he heard his
name called. He knew the voice belonged to Garrison and he listened to
make sure from which car it came. Presently he heard it a second time
and localized the sound as just below him. He entered the car by the
end door near the roof.

"Hello! Call me?" he asked.

"Yep. I done fell and bust my laig. Can you get me outa here?"

"Bad, is it?"