A rumble sounded as from the north, and in that direction a locomotive
headlight came into view. It neared as the rumble grew louder, and soon a
freight-train appeared. This rolled past at the foot of the embankment.
From between two grain cars leaped a man, and after him another. So rapidly
was the train moving that they seemed to be hurled from it. Both alighted
upon their feet. One tall and lithe, led the way up the embankment,
followed by the other, who was short and stocky.
"Bums," whispered one of the boys at the top of the embankment.
The tramps stood still when they reached the top. Even in the half-light it
could be seen that their clothes were ill-fitting, frayed, and torn. They
wore cast-off hats. The tall man, whose face was clean-cut and made a
pretence of being smooth-shaven, had a pliable one; the other was capped by
a dented derby.
"Here's yer town at last! And it looks like a very jay place at that," said
the short tramp to the tall one, casting his eyes toward the house roofs
eastward.
The boys sitting twenty feet away became silent and cautiously watched the
newcomers.
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