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Carl was tired and scared. The expanse of the railway yard had overwhelmed him, making
him insensible to further mysteries. As he ran from the forest like a frightened mouse
along beside a shed the quiet hissing of the locomotive on its spur didn't even seem
unusual. Then it screamed. The men who stood on the station platform wore bright green armbands and carried whips. These were Railway Marshals whose job was to supervise the loading of the cars. When they heard the locomotive's whistle they turned and saw the running figure coming straight towards them but they had no time to use their whips. Carl collided headlong with the first of them and he fell groaning and clutching his groin. Then the other two used their whips. They used them plenty, feeling they were entitled, until Carl lay insensible and bleeding. Then they helped their companion up and went back to standing around, waiting for their charges to emerge. An hour or so later when Carl stirred and groaned the Marshals went over to get another look at him. 'Where you from, boy?' said one. When he responded 'Dentonsville' the Marshals were confused. If he had said Drummerton they would have known exactly what to do. 'You're on Railroad property here,' said another. 'Them fellas ain't supposed to come this way until tomorrow,' said the first again, scratching his head. 'What d'you want here anyway,' said the third. He had to bend down close to hear Carl's whispered reply. 'The Quartermaster? He wants to see the Quartermaster!' The Marshals felt relieved. 'Why didn't you say so before,' said the first. 'That's his office over there.' He indicated beyond the station to where the main street of the Collecting Center emerged into the Railroad Yard and crossed the tracks. 'He's nothing to do with us, though, boy. That's Collecting Center property. That ain't our business.' The men turned away, leaving Carl lying where he was and making no further effort to impede or assist him. Instead they stood some distance off in a tight knot, watching him, while they waited for the Drummerton Brigade to emerge from the assembly area. |
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