“I don’t believe we’ll have to call on you, Blake,” said Mr. Duncan, with a smile; “but I’m just as much obliged. If my funds do run out, I’ll let you assist me, though, for I know you’ll be glad to do it.” “That’s what I will!” cried the lad. “I haven’t many folks myself--only my aged uncle--but I want Joe to get all the relatives he can.” “And I’ll share ’em with you,” added his chum. The train rushed on, seeming to increase in speed, and others than Blake looked apprehensively out of the windows as the landscape seemed fairly to fly past. “What’s the hurry, conductor?” asked Mr. Hadley, when that official came through, as the cars swept around a curve with such force that several held on to their seats in fear. “Making up lost time,” was the short response. “Don’t get nervous. This is the best stretch of the whole road here.” “Then there’s sure to be a wreck,” predicted C. C. “It’s always on the best stretches that the accidents occur. We’ll leave the track, roll over in a ditch, or go through a bridge--I’m sure of it!” “Oh, you horrid thing!” cried Miss Shay, another of the actresses. “Can’t some of you men do something to him?” and she appealed to the actors of the company. “We’ll drop him at the next tank station, if he doesn’t cut out that line of talk,” declared Mr. Levinberg, who played the “villain.” “What! And have me starve to death?” cried Mr. Piper. “I had almost rather be wrecked in some nice locality where there was plenty to eat. A wreck there----” He did not finish his words, for at that moment there came a grinding of the brakes on the wheels, so suddenly that several of the passengers were thrown from their seats. “It’s a wreck, all right!” yelled Blake, getting to his feet. “Hold on, everybody!” cried Joe. The train shook and trembled as the engineer endeavored, by the use of the emergency air brake, to bring it to a stop. Then there came a crash, a splintering of wood and a clang of metal. It was followed by a curious combination of sounds. There were grunts, roars, squeals and trumpetings--the neighing of horses, and the shouts of men. Chains clanked, and a rumble, as of thunder, was heard. Then the train came to a stop with a jolt that further shook up the theatrical company, which was traveling in a private car. “For cats’ sake--what’s happened?” cried Blake. “Some sort of a smash!” declared Joe, crawling out from under a seat, where he had been thrown. Women were screaming, men were yelling and shouting. The hissing of escaping steam could be heard, and the moving picture boys, looking toward the forward end of their car, saw that part of the roof was torn off. But otherwise the vehicle was not much damaged, and no one appeared to be hurt save for minor cuts and bruises. Suddenly Miss Lee, who had slid along the aisle to the front end, uttered a scream and came running back. “What is it; are you hurt?” asked Blake, catching her as she was about to fall.