CHAPTER X.

THE HOMEWARD TRIP.

Why the wild-cat was not caught—A long 166 storm—The dissected map—How it was made—A pleasant and profitable diversion—Preparations for going home—The trap returned—Whistler’s attachment for his Brookdale friends—The hour of parting—The ride to the Cross Roads—The stage coach—The train—The locomotive—Clinton’s knowledge of steam engines—View from the car windows—A talk about a cross engineer—Bad and good traits—The engineer’s responsibility—Who takes the credit, and who the blame—Some of the engineer’s duties—High speed—What a locomotive might do without a master—A runaway engine, and how it was stopped—Another runaway—A frightful race—Fortunate termination—Tediousness of railroad travelling—Attention attracted by the train—The boys on the water—The dog, horse, sheep, cow, &c.—Arrival at Boston—Ralph,