The trains from the east and from the west, which passed each other at Ucayga, were both on time, as they generally were. I saw the truck unloaded, then loaded again with the baggage of the passengers who were going up the lake, and in a few moments the Middleport was crossing the river. The train was to leave at quarter past ten, but the promptness of the steamer’s people allowed me five minutes of grace. Lewis had left the engine, when he knew that it was his duty to “oil up,” and I was performing this work myself, when Major Toppleton came up, his face beaming with smiles. My fireman was talking with Tommy on the platform. “Well, Wolf, this works to a charm,” said the magnate, rubbing his hands with satisfaction. “Yes, sir; we came through on time, after all,” I replied, as I poured the oil on one of the piston rods. “I heard there was a child on the track this side of the Springs.” “Yes, sir; Tom Walton, who was on the engine with me, went out on the cow-catcher and saved it. I think we should have lost the trip if Tom had not been with me,” I continued, fully explaining the exciting incident. “Tom is a good fellow, and he always has his head near the ends of his fingers,” answered the major. I wanted to tell him that Tommy and my fireman had done what they could to defeat the great enterprise; but I concluded that it would be useless to do so, for the son was the master. I had made a good impression in Tom Walton’s favor, and I reserved my next step till a more convenient season. CHAPTER XXII. THE NEW FIREMAN. “All aboard!” shouted our bustling conductor, who was a very gentlemanly young man, and had had considerable experience in this capacity. He wore a gold badge on the lapel of his coat, wrought in the shape of a train of cars, on which was inscribed the word “Conductor,” in such curious old English text that no one who did not know what it was could read it. He alleged that the jewel had been presented to him by a host of admiring passengers; but those who knew him best declared that he had spent a whole month’s salary in its purchase. It was a very pretty thing, and, wherever he got it, he was certainly polite enough to have merited it. The gentleman with the gold jewel bowed, and gracefully made the signal to me; and, after glancing at the reversing handle, I grasped the throttle valve, ready to start. At this moment Lewis sprang upon the foot-board. I had attended to the fire myself, and was thoroughly disgusted with the conduct of my fireman. “Stop!” shouted Tommy, imperiously. It was the president of the road who spoke, and I was obliged to obey. “It is against the rules of the road for any one to ride on the engine,” continued the little magnate. “I never heard of any such rule before, Mr. President, or I should not have disregarded it,” I replied, as gently as I could, though I know my face flushed with indignation. “I make the rule now, then,” added Tommy.