Діти залізниці
The amateur firemen.
Peterpushedherbackmoreroughlythanbefore,andwenton.
Nowwhatwouldhavehappenedifthebabyhadn’tcriedIdon’tknow—butjustatthatmomentitDIDcry.Peterfelthiswaythroughthedarksmoke,foundsomethingsmallandsoftandwarmandalive,pickeditupandbackedout,nearlytumblingoverBobbiewhowasclosebehind.Adogsnappedathisleg—triedtobark,choked.
"I’vegotthekid,"saidPeter,tearingoffthehandkerchiefandstaggeringontothedeck.
Bobbiecaughtattheplacewherethebarkcamefrom,andherhandsmetonthefatbackofasmooth-haireddog.Itturnedandfasteneditsteethonherhand,butverygently,asmuchastosay:—
"I’mboundtobarkandbiteifstrangerscomeintomymaster’scabin,butIknowyoumeanwell,soIwon’tREALLYbite."
Bobbiedroppedthedog.
"Allright,oldman.Gooddog,"saidshe."Here—givemethebaby,Peter;you’resowetyou’llgiveitcold."
Peterwasonlytoogladtohandoverthestrangelittlebundlethatsquirmedandwhimperedinhisarms.
"Now,"saidBobbie,quickly,"yourunstraighttothe‘RoseandCrown’andtellthem.PhilandIwillstayherewiththeprecious.Hush,then,adear,aduck,adarling!GoNOW,Peter!Run!"
"Ican’truninthesethings,"saidPeter,firmly;"they’reasheavyaslead.I’llwalk."
"ThenI’LLrun,"saidBobbie.
