Leppard, Lois Gladys - [Mandie 03] Read Free

“Just don’t stay too long,” he told them. “And Sallie, tell your grandfather I’ll be back in a little while to relieve him.”
    “Yes, sir,” Sallie replied, as they stood up and started down the aisle of the train car.
    “And please be careful when you go from one car to the other,” Elizabeth called. “It could be dangerous if you don’t watch your step.”
    “We will,” they promised as they went out the door at the end of the car. When they stepped onto the platform between the cars, the cold mountain wind whipped around them and the noise of the train was deafening. They hurried into the next car.
    Joe quickly shut the door behind them and stood there shivering for a moment. “I thought it was supposed to be summertime,” he laughed.
    “Yes, but the wind is always cold at night in the mountains,” Dimar told him.
    “A breath of cold air is good for us,” Tsa’ni added.
    There were a few passengers in the car they had just entered, but when they moved to the next car they found it completely empty.
    Sallie looked around the dimly-lit car. “There certainly aren’t many people on this train,” she remarked.
    Mandie stopped to look out a window. She leaned against the glass. “Look!” she cried, pointing outside. “Horsemen!”
    The group crowded in front of the window.
    “In the moonlight they look like ghosts,” Mandie joked.
    Joe cupped his hand against the window to see better. “What are they wearing over their clothes?” he asked.
    “I do not know, but they are keeping pace with the train,” Tsa’ni answered.
    “It is too dark to see their faces,” Dimar said.
    “Oh, they see us!” Mandie said, waving her hand.
    Joe looked away from the window. “I think they’re trying to get on the train,” he warned.
    Suddenly, the train jerked to a stop. All five young people staggered and grabbed for anything to keep from falling. The train had stopped on a hill, and they found it difficult to stand upright. They all looked at each other questioningly.
    “Why are we stopping here?” Sallie asked.
    “I don’t know,” Joe answered, “but something is wrong.”
    Just then, a loud clang came from the direction ofthe baggage car. Dimar led the way as they rushed to the back door of the car to see what had happened. Dimar tried to open the door. It was stuck. He peered out the window. “The baggage car,” he cried. “It has come apart from the rest of the train! It is rolling back down the track!”
    “Oh, no!” Mandie yelled. “Uncle Ned …”
    “Grandfather!” Sallie screamed.
    Joe pushed his way to the window to look. At that moment there was a deafening crash. He turned slowly. Both girls were in tears, and a sick look of realization covered the faces of Dimar and Tsa’ni.
    Mandie ran for the front door of the train car and threw it open. Joe hurried after her and the others followed.
    Outside, Mandie hopped off the train and blindly started in the direction of the baggage car. Snowball clung to her shoulder in fright. Joe and the others stepped off the train more cautiously.
    “Mandie! Wait!” Joe called. “Look! We’re right on the edge of a steep ridge.”
    Mandie stopped. In the dim moonlight she could see the sharp drop-off just a few feet away. Her heart thumped louder as she realized the danger she was in.
    Joe rushed to her side and took her hand. “Come on, all of you,” he commanded. “Let’s get back to the others on the train. We can’t find that baggage car by ourselves.”
    But just as they turned to get back on, there was a loud noise and the train started up again.
    They all froze in panic. By the time they could think clearly enough to run, it was too late. The train was going too fast and all five of them could never get on board without someone getting hurt.
    Mandie hid her face in her hands and cried.
    Sallie began to shake all over. “Grandfather!” shewailed. “Now, how will we get help for my grandfather?”
    Tsa’ni put his arm around