But suddenly the airbrakes were put on again and they slowed down
with a good deal of clatter and bumping.

"We're not at Scarboro yet, surely?" cried Mrs. Murchiston.

"No, no!" Mr. Cameron assured them. "We're stopping from some other
cause--why, this is merely a flag station. Not even a station--just a
crossing."

A white-sheeted road crossed the rails. There were two or three
houses in sight and a big general store, over the door of which was
painted:

EMORYVILLE P. O.

But the train had stopped and the rear brake-man, or flagman, seized
his lamp and ran back to wait for the engineer to recall him. It was
growing dusk and the lamps had been lighted the length of the train.
The general interest of the party drew their attention forward. Ruth,
suddenly remembering Fred Hatfield, looked toward the rear of the
car. Fred was just going out of the door in the wake of the brakeman.

"Oh, he mustn't go!" whispered Ruth to herself, and leaving her girl
companions she ran back to speak to the runaway boy. When she reached
the door, Fred had already descended the steps. She saw him run
across the tracks, and quick as a flash she sprang down after him.