He could not stand this; unless he revealed himself at once, or managed to get out of this delusive waggon, the six-whatever-it-was train would be up and carry him off to Slopsbury, a hundred miles or so farther from home; they would have time to warn Dick--he would be expected--ambushes laid for him, and his one chance would be gone for ever! There was a whistle far away on the down line, and that humming vibration which announces an approaching train: not a moment to lose--he was afraid to attempt a leap from the moving waggons, and resolved to risk all and show himself. With this intention he got upon his knees, and putting his head above the dirty bulwark, looked over and said softly, "Tommy, I say, Tommy!" A porter, who had been laboriously employed below, looked up with a white and scared face, and staggered back several feet; Mr. Bultitude in a sudden panic ducked again. "Bill!" Paul heard the porter say hoarsely, "I'll take my Bible oath I've never touched a drop this week, not to speak of--but I've got 'em again, Bill, I've got 'em again!" "Got what agin?" growled Bill. "What's the matter now?" "It's the jumps, Bill," gasped the other, "the 'orrors--they've got me and no mistake. As I'm a livin' man, as I was a shovin' of that there truck, I saw a imp--a gashly imp, Bill, stick its hugly 'ed over the side and say, 'Tommy,' it ses, jest like that--it ses, 'Tommy, I wants you!' I dursn't go near it, Bill. I'll get leave, and go 'ome and lay up--it glared at me so 'orrid, Bill, and grinned--ugh! I'll take the pledge after this 'ere, I will--I'll go to chapel Sundays reg'lar!" "Let's see if there ain't something there first," said the practical Bill. "Easy with the 'oss up there. Now then," here he stepped on the box of the wheel and looked in. "Shin out of this, whatever y'are, we don't contrack to carry no imps on this line--Well, if ever I--Tommy, old man, it's all right, y'ain't got 'em this time--'ere's yer imp!" And, reaching over, he hauled out the wretched Paul by the scruff of his neck in a state of utter collapse, and deposited him on the ground before him. "That ain't your private kerridge, yer know, that ain't--there wasn't no bed made up there for you, that I know on. You ain't arter no good, now; you're a wagabone! that's about your size, I can see--what d'yer mean by it, eh?" "Shet yer 'ed, Bill, will yer?" said Tommy, whose relief probably softened his temper, "this here's a young gent." "Young gent, or no young gent," replied Bill sententiously, "he's no call to go 'idin' in our waggins and givin' 'ard-workin' men a turn. 'Old 'im tight, Tommy--here's the luggage down on us." Tommy held him fast with a grip of iron, while the other porters coupled the trucks, and the luggage train lumbered away with its load. After this the men slouched up and stood round their captive, staring at him curiously.