Ветер в ивах

           Theengine-driver,withasigh,wipedhisbrowwithahandfulofcotton-waste,andsaid,"I’mafraidit’snogood,Toad.Yousee,theyarerunninglight,andtheyhavethebetterengine.There’sjustonethingleftforustodo,andit’syouronlychance,soattendverycarefullytowhatItellyou.Ashortwayaheadofusisalongtunnel,andontheothersideofthatthelinepassesthroughathickwood.Now,IwillputonallthespeedIcanwhilewearerunningthroughthetunnel,buttheotherfellowswillslowdownabit,naturally,forfearofanaccident.Whenwearethrough,IwillshutoffsteamandputonbrakesashardasIcan,andthemomentit’ssafetodosoyoumustjumpandhideinthewood,beforetheygetthroughthetunnelandseeyou.ThenIwillgofullspeedaheadagain,andtheycanchasemeiftheylike,foraslongastheylike,andasfarastheylike.NowmindandbereadytojumpwhenItellyou!"

           Theypiledonmorecoals,andthetrainshotintothetunnel,andtheenginerushedandroaredandrattled,tillatlasttheyshotoutattheotherendintofreshairandthepeacefulmoonlight,andsawthewoodlyingdarkandhelpfuluponeithersideoftheline.Thedrivershutoffsteamandputonbrakes,theToadgotdownonthestep,andasthetrainsloweddowntoalmostawalkingpaceheheardthedrivercallout,"Now,jump!"

           Toadjumped,rolleddownashortembankment,pickedhimselfupunhurt,scrambledintothewoodandhid.