Casey fixed his eyes upon the curve of the track ahead where it disappeared between the sage-covered sandy banks.  Here the grade was scarcely perceptible to any but experienced eyes.  And the gravel-car crept along as if it would stop any moment.  But Casey knew that it was not likely to stop, and if it did he could start it again.  A heavy-laden car like this, once started, would run a long way on a very little grade.  What worried him was the creaking and rattle of wheels, sounds that from where he stood were apparently very loud.

He turned the curve into a stretch of straight track where there came a perceptible increase in the strength of the breeze against his face.  While creeping along at this point he scooped out a hole in the gravel mound on the car, making a place that might afford some protection from Indian bullets and arrows.  That accomplished, he had nothing to do but hold on to the wheel-brake, and gaze ahead.

It seemed a long time before the speed increased sufficiently to insure him against any danger of a stop.  The wind began to blow his hair and whip away the smoke of his pipe.  And the car began to cover distance.  Several miles from the station he entered the shallow mouth of a gully where the grade increased.  His speed accelerated correspondingly until he was rolling along faster than a man could run.  The track had been built on the right bank of the gully which curved between low bare hills, and which grew deeper and of a rougher character.  Casey had spiked many of the rails over which he passed.

He found it necessary to apply the brake so that he would not take the sharp curves at dangerous speed.  The brake did not work well and gave indications that it would not stand a great deal.  With steady, rattling creak, and an occasional clank, the car rolled on.

If Casey remembered the lay of the land, there was a long, straight stretch of track, ending in several curves, the last of which turned sharply into the narrow cut where the Sioux would ambush and obstruct the train.  At this point it was Casey’s intention to put off the brake and let his car run wild.

It seemed an endless time before he reached the head of that stretch.  Then he let go of the wheel.  And the gravel-car began to roll on faster.

Casey appeared to be grimly and conscientiously concerned over his task, and he was worried about the outcome.  He must get his car beyond that narrow cut.  If it jumped the track or ran into an obstruction, or if the Sioux spied him in time, then his work would not be well done.  He welcomed the gathering momentum, yet was fearful of the curve he saw a long distance ahead.  When he reached that he would be going at a high rate of speed—­too fast to take the curve safely.