Several people approached the engine, including a policeman of the town and the conductor. "Come down off that coal pile," cried the conductor. There was no mistaking the command, and I crawled down. If I was a sight before, I was a whole show now, for I was smutty from head to foot. "I didn't know he was up there," said the conductor. Inwardly I thanked the conductor, whom I knew had been trying to help me along. "I'll take charge of this young man," said the policeman. "Please get my things," I said. "I hid them in the baggage car." [Illustration: "I'll take charge of this young man," said the policeman.] CHAPTER III. _Snatched From Death--Forty-nine Miles on a Hand-car--Finding a Partner._ Two-score people had seen me pulled down from the tender, and were now watching the result of my sudden discomfiture with interest, and with a look of deep humiliation and embarrassment--for the most part assumed--for my vanity had materially suffered in that fifty-seven mile ride, I now stood in the presence of the policeman. Apparently I could not even look up at the cruel, cold-staring crowd of country folks that thickly gathered around me. Evidently the policeman was touched, and unaware of the fact that I was playing on his sympathy, he questioned me as to where I lived, where I was going, etc., all of which I answered in a straightforward manner, adding that I was going West to cure the asthma, and that I had letters of recommendation. I had several other letters of this kind in my pocket, but remembering that home reference is said to be the best, I selected only two from the bunch--those of Mr. John Shackelford and Mr. Frank Powell, and here I must beg their pardon, most humbly, for using their kind notes of praise like this, and am sure they'll forgive me, for I was in a tight box. After reading the two papers over carefully, he slowly remarked, with a puzzled look on his face: "Look here! it's against my rule, but I'm going to let you go this time. Just scoot down that track, now, and remember," he added, as I started through the increasing throng, "if you return I shall run you in." There was nothing to do but walk, and I started down the tracks, walking--I knew not where. My scheme had worked and I was free, but far from being in a happy frame of mind. A small hand-mirror showed me a face that frightened me with its blackness, and my hands were in even a worse condition. "Oh, if my people could only see me now!" I mused.