.

CHEATING THE MAN-KILLER.
For the first few yards the assistant engineer ran almost as well as though on a cinder track.

Then his feet sank in.

Soon he stumbled.
Then there came a time, within ten feet of Tom, when Harry felt his feet settling in the sand despite his efforts to pull himself out.
In the meantime the haulers on the other line had forgotten to pull the laborer nearer to safety.
"You men get your eyes on the job!" sternly commanded Payson, who seemed capable of having eyes everywhere.
Harry got out, somehow.

He made a bound, landing within arm's length of Tom Reade.
"I'm here, old chum!" gasped Hazelton.
"I knew you'd be," returned Tom calmly, "if there were any way of doing it." Harry pulled himself together and floundered still closer.
Nor was there a moment to be lost.