Our position was worse in this respect when we were going down the other side of the Nevada range. As we ascended, the trains had come up behind us "full steam ahead," so that we could more easily detect their approach; but as we went down from the summit, those following us on the down grade came with steam shut off, and were upon us before we could hear them.
On a bridge near Cisco an incident occurred which might have been serious for me. It is about two hundred yards long, and I was beginning to cross it, when my companions who were on in front beckoned me to stop. I thought that one of my friends wished to take a snap-shot, and stopped accordingly. However, after waiting about five minutes, as nothing happened, I went on. It was a skeleton bridge, with a framework in the middle. I had just reached the framework, carrying my machine, when I heard the shriek of an engine whistle in the shed ahead. I managed to keep my head and my balance, as a false step would have meant death. I reached the end of the bridge, and stepped on to the siding just as the train rushed past.
[Illustration: TRAVELLING WITH EMIGRANTS IN THE WESTERN STATES.]
It was only then that I fully realised the narrow shave I had had.
We joyfully left the railway track shortly before entering Omaha, and from thence to Chicago we had roads that might, in comparison with our previous experiences, be called tolerable.
At Chicago we took to the railway track again for a short time in the suburb of Pullman; but from that point to New York we had the rare and delightful experience of riding on a "made road," with charming scenery about us. And very glad we were not to add to our record of riding 3,000 miles on railway sleepers.
[Illustration: THRASHING A CHINESE THIEF WHO STOLE THE CAMERA WITH WHICH THESE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN.]
A TALE OF SINGAPORE TOLD BY THE THIRD MATE.
It isn't my yarn at all by rights; the Second Mate commenced it, and pushed me in, in the middle. So I've annexed it; and the Second won't mind--for he's dead.
The _Mother Carey_ was not a ship to be proud of. I never knew anyone to blow about belonging to her, not even the donkeyman.
We had worked her round to Sydney all right. Then the Health Authorities ordered us off: after which we went and lay off Thursday Island till the firm who had chartered us could wire instructions.