Seeing this, the workers redoubled their efforts, and faster rose the
full buckets, the empties going down at the same rate. It is really
astonishing what a large amount of water can be carried by such an
endless chain.

"Hurrah! We're besting it, lads! Keep it up!" shouted the agent, who
was the man Frank had first addressed.

Will had not joined the relay. There seemed to be plenty of recruits
without him, and, truth to tell, he was bent on getting a picture of the
scene. Doubtless many present were startled by a sudden brilliant
illumination as he set off his flashlight cartridge; but those who were
in ignorance as to what it meant were soon set wise by others.

Once they began to get the upper hand of the fire it became easy.
Fortunately, there was not a breath of wind at the time. Had it been
otherwise, no efforts on their part could have saved the trestle.

"I should think they would have them all of steel!" gasped Bluff, as he
labored away, passing endless buckets up and down.

"Most of them are, I understand, but in this case, you see, it is a long
stretch, and perhaps it wasn't thought necessary," replied Frank.

"We're going to save it, all right; but I wonder if our train dare pass
over? It seems to me the fire must have weakened the structure more or
less," remarked Jerry.

"Oh, well, they'll find some means of strengthening it in that case. I'm