we got cloae up I had shut off, reversed, and was screw-
ing down the break, for my stoker seemed struck help-
less ; then I just caught a glimpse of him as he leaped
off; there was a crash, and I was lying half stunned
back amongst the coal in the tender, and we were still
dashing on for nearly a mile before I was quite re-
covered and the train at a standstill.
" I was half stupid for a bit, and on putting my
hand to my head I found that it was bleeding, whilst
the screen was bent right down over me, and had saved
my life, no doubt. As far as I could see then there
was no more damage done to us, and just then the
guard came running up and shook hands when he
found I'd got off so well.
" * But Where's Joe ? ' he says, meaning my
stoker.
" ' He went off,' I says, 'just as we went into 'em.
How about t'other train ? '

'' ' Let's run back,' he says ; and I put her gently
back ; but all the while in a muddly sort of way, as if
I wasn't quite right in my head, which bled powerful.
Then there was a good deal of shouting and noise
amongst the passengers ; but my guard went along the
foot-board from coach to coach till he had quieted them
all pretty well, and then by that time they signalled to
us to stop.
