Standing atop the tender, Karl waited and hoped for an explosion. It would be proof his idea had worked and Silas was alive. He suspected he knew how a general felt after issuing orders with nothing better to do than wait for the outcome; it was frustrating.

A sharp report and flash of light came from the storm. Silas would come back. He had to be ready. Karl climbed down the pile and ducked under the canvas to reduce the train’s speed once more. The gages were all in the red now, the locomotive boiler hotter than it had ever been and as dangerous as a huge bomb.

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Reaching in his box, Karl found his food and emergency bag filled with matches, tinder and other survival items. He held the bag close and crawled under the canvas.