Part 15 (1/2)

”I'm running this special train to Chattanooga,” he announced. ”Some of Beauregard's troops have been cut off by Mitchel. Is the pa.s.senger train waiting for me at Calhoun?”

”I don't know,” answered the amazed station agent. The conductor and the engineer of the freight train came running up.

”What's this-what's this?” asked the conductor.

”Special powder train,” answered the station agent.

”Your way is clear to Kingston,” said Andrews. ”The pa.s.senger train is waiting there. I have to be going.”

”But the southbound pa.s.senger train!” protested the conductor. ”It has left Calhoun by this time. You'd better wait here.”

”If I meet any train, I'll blow it off the face of the earth!” answered Andrews. ”I have twenty tons of powder in those cars.” He waved toward the empty box-cars-empty except for the sixteen men in the last. He swung aboard the General.

”Go ahead,” he ordered.

Knight was at the throttle. After the one curve which took them out of sight of Adairsville, the tracks stretched straight ahead of them, and there was a slight down grade. Knight opened the throttle wide. The General plunged forward in huge leaps, swaying through s.p.a.ce. There were moments when all the wheels seemed clear of the tracks, when the locomotive seemed to fly; at other times it settled on the tracks and shook as though it were about to drop in pieces. Behind them, the freight cars lashed back and forth, throwing the men on the floor when they tried to rise.

”Wood!” yelled Brown.

Tom took up his struggle with the logs. Now he picked them up and heaved them into the cab, then followed, holding to the tender, and stuffed them into the flames. He stopped once for breath, and looked at Knight. The engineer's face was screwed into a grimace; his jaw was set, his eyes half closed, and his head thrust forward into the wind which swept past them. Occasionally he closed the throttle a few notches, as though he were tempering the speed just enough to keep the General from leaping into the air. He seemed to be controlling a live monster, bent on carrying them to destruction.

Outside, the country flitted past them, a blur of trees and hills.

Andrews lurched across the cab and shouted to Knight: ”Calhoun-around bend!” Knight nodded and slackened off on the throttle. The General drifted into a normal speed which, by comparison, was mere crawling; it hit the curve, swayed and settled down upon the tracks.

”Brake!” screamed Knight.

Brown and Tom lunged for the wheel and twisted. When it was set, Tom leaned from the cab and saw that they were bearing down upon the pa.s.senger train, its whistle screeching a warning. The two engines stopped within twenty yards of collision.

Andrews ducked out on the running board of the General. ”Get back!” he yelled, waving frantically.

The engineer of the pa.s.senger train did not wait to ask questions; he reversed his locomotive and slid back into Calhoun, taking the main track. That left the side-track for Andrews. The engineer of the pa.s.senger train, in his anxiety to be far away from the train which had almost wrecked him, had backed so far that his rear car was blocking the other end of the side-track.

”Draw up and let me out,” called Andrews.

But the engineer descended from his cab. ”What do yon mean by running me down that way?” he demanded explosively. ”You're over an hour late. I have the right of way.” Then as he came closer: ”Who are you?”

”I have the right of way here,” answered Andrews. ”This is a special powder train.”

”Special or no special,” answered the engineer, ”no man can run a train like that on this road. Show me your orders.”

”Get your train out of my way,” answered Andrews. He was calm again now, and his tone showed nothing of the agony of suspense raging within him.

”I refuse to clear the track until you show me your orders for running like that.”

Andrews glanced at Tom. And there was meaning in that glance. Tom swung from the engine and strolled back along the train, ready to call the men.

”Get your train out of my way,” answered, Andrews evenly. He pulled out his watch. ”I'll give you thirty seconds to start your train forward. At the end of that time I'll have my men do it for you, and I'll take you to Chattanooga with me-charged with aiding the enemy!”

The engineer began to splutter; then he paused, turned suddenly and strode off toward his engine. The pa.s.senger train pulled slowly ahead. Tom ran to the switch, threw the handle, and swung aboard the General as it pa.s.sed him.

”Whew!” said Andrews. ”I thought we were going to have trouble there.”

”Do you think the pa.s.senger train will pull out?” asked Tom. ”That would block 'em.”