The little town lay about half a mile in front of him, half hidden amongst trees. He could not distinguish the railway station, but he could see the line approaching the town on one side, and leaving it on the other. Presently in the distance a long plume of steam denoted the approaching train. The road he was on was a little used one; there was no one in sight upon it; no possibility of help. For a moment his heart failed him. He felt he would never make it. But he repudiated the thought of failure. Digging his toes in, he contrived to let out a little more.
He saw the train. It disappeared among the trees, and presumably stopped at the station. Everything depended on the duration of its stop. The station was still out of sight around the bend; there was no way in which he could signal.
