"I'm running this train on government authority," answered Andrews calmly. "I'm rushing ammunition to Beauregard." He waved toward the box-cars. Then he demanded sternly: "Why isn't that local freight here?" The agent was subdued. "It ought to be along any minute, sir," he answered. "Is there a passenger train behind you, sir?" "I suppose so," answered Andrews indifferently. "This engine was supposed to haul the regular train, but we had to take it for this work. Powder is more important than passengers these days. They were fitting out another passenger train at Atlanta when we left." He handled the situation in masterful style. Tom, pretending to be busy inside the cab, listened and chuckled. Knight and Brown were out oiling the engine. "When did the freight leave Adairsville?" demanded Andrews. "I don't know, sir," answered the agent, "but I'll find out." "Yes, please do--and hurry up about it." "Yes, sir." Before the agent returned, they heard the whistle of the freight far up the track. It approached slowly, and then crept into the station, stopping with the cars blocking the track for Andrews' train. Brown, who was at the throttle, gave an exclamation of impatience. Andrews swung to the ground. At that moment the agent rushed out, and yelled to the freight engineer, "Draw farther up the track." The freight train started again, laboriously. Andrews jumped aboard. "Run out of here just as soon as the switch is turned," he ordered. The last car of the freight train rounded the trees and came into sight. On the rear of it was fastened a red flag! _It was a warning that there was still another train behind!_ "Good Lord!" exclaimed Andrews. He jumped to the ground again, and went toward the station. The conductor of the freight train met him. "What does this mean?" demanded Andrews. "I'm ordered to get powder up to Beauregard, and I find the track blocked ahead of me." "It's not my fault," answered the conductor. "I haven't anything to do with it. But I don't think that you're going to get any powder to Beauregard on this road." "Why not?" "What will you do about Mitchel at Huntsville?" "What do you mean?" asked Andrews. "I mean that Mitchel broke through and captured Huntsville yesterday," answered the conductor. "If you're working for the government, you ought to know it by this time, too." "Don't believe everything you hear," answered Andrews. "Mitchel wouldn't be fool enough to risk an attack on Huntsville in this weather." "Then why are they bringing this special train down from Chattanooga with all the supplies?" "That's their business, not mine," answered Andrews. "If Mitchel has captured Huntsville, then some of Beauregard's troops are split, and that's probably the reason why I'm ordered to get this powder up as far as I can. When I get there I'll find soldiers to use it." "Maybe," answered the conductor. "How long will it be before the special is here?" "Probably about thirty minutes."