Part 18 (1/2)
The bent rail which Andrews had left as a snag in the track would have wrecked Fuller if the Texas had been traveling forward instead of backward. As it was, the cars cleared it. The snag caught on the low cow-catcher of the engine and gave the train a mighty jerk. They were past it before they knew what had happened. In fact, Fuller did not know until later, for he had not seen the snag ahead of them, and he could see nothing as he looked back.
He motioned Murphy ahead. ”What was that?” he asked.
”Don't know. Something on the track. Thought the engine was going off for a second.”
”They'll probably stop at Green's for wood,” said Fuller. ”Keep the whistle going.”
Murphy hurried back over the swaying cars. An instant later the whistle was screaming out its warning to the keeper of the wood yard at Green's Station.
Fuller's arms went up again, and he was on the ground removing ties.
”We'll have to stop for fuel,” yelled Murphy.
When the Texas swung around into view of Green's Station the track ahead was still clear. The General was speeding northward.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
FIGHTING WITH FIRE
Tom discovered that the weariness which was creeping over him, stealing his strength, was hunger. The sight of Knight gnawing at a hunk of bread sent him to his coat for the package of food he had bought at Big Shanty. Andrews, too, became suddenly aware that he must eat. Brown, hovering over the throttle, was too intent upon pus.h.i.+ng the General forward to be conscious of his body. He sat there as though hypnotized by the gleaming rails which stretched before him.
Tilton came into view. Andrews crossed over to Brown and told him where to stop for water; then he stood ready to swing off the engine to confront anyone who might interfere. The station was one hundred yards north of the water pipe, so the agent could not get a good view of the freight car. It was obviously no car to support the special powder train story: its end was broken open wide, and the sixteen men within were waiting in readiness to swing off and fight.
Brown and Knight adjusted the water pipe. Andrews hurried forward to meet the keeper. Tom was a few yards behind him, prepared to run back and call the men out.
”Special train,” said Andrews. ”Running through to Corinth.”
”Through to Corinth?” demanded the man incredulously.
”All right!” yelled Knight.
Andrews and Tom turned and ran back to the engine without waiting to answer questions. The General with Knight at the throttle now, went roaring past the amazed agent. He stood rooted to the ground while the men in the freight car waved derisively.
Brown had collapsed in the fireman's seat, his head thrown back against the cab wall and his eyes closed. The strain of driving a locomotive at full speed over a strange track was beginning to tell upon him.
”There is nothing for us to do until we get past Dalton,” said Andrews. ”On the other side of the tunnel is a bridge. We'll set fire to it.” He glanced at his watch. ”We're ahead of the pa.s.senger train's schedule, and we may find the tracks blocked at the switches in Dalton.”
”What then?” asked Knight.
”We'll have to fight our way through,” answered Andrews. ”Tom, tell the men to stand ready to jump out and fight at Dalton. You stay up on the tender and don't let any man show a head until I give the signal.” Then, to Knight: ”Stop a couple of hundred yards below the station while I run ahead and see if the switches are clear. If the way is open, we'll rush it.”
”Right,” answered the engineer. ”More wood, Tom.”
Tom climbed up on the tender and pa.s.sed the orders back to the men; then he turned to stoking the fire.
”Here we are,” said Andrews. Once again he was calm and deliberate. He seemed to be gathering himself together for the conflict with the station authorities at Dalton.
Tom glanced ahead and saw the town looming up before them-the big station, with its high roof sweeping out over the tracks, the pa.s.senger coaches and freight cars standing upon the side-tracks, and the maze of switches. It seemed like a network, spread out to catch them. He climbed up on the wood pile in the tender where he could see Andrews and repeat a signal for help to the men.
As the General stopped, Andrews sprang off and walked ahead. He paused to talk with several men who were coming down the track, then walked on toward the station. Suddenly he turned and motioned sharply.
Knight pulled the throttle open and the General fairly jumped. Andrews swung aboard. ”Push her, Knight!” he yelled.