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 passenger train pulled slowly ahead. Tom ran to the switch, threw the handle, and swung aboard the _General_ as it passed him. "Whew!" said Andrews. "I thought we were going to have trouble there." "Do you think the passenger train will pull out?" asked Tom. "That would block 'em." "No," answered Andrews. "He'll stay there. I wanted to tell him that the way was clear to Adairsville ... but I couldn't. It might mean a wreck, if they are still pursuing us. That would be terrible--it's a passenger train." Tom nodded. Brown yelled for more wood. When the fire had been stoked, Tom took his seat beside Andrews. "We've left them behind now, I think," continued the leader. "That tangle of freight at Kingston will stop them." A deep rumble, rising above the noise of the _General_ struck their ears. For a moment they did not know what it was; then Tom exclaimed, "Thunder! Look!" He pointed to the black sky. Already the rain was splashing down upon them, streaking the forward windows of the cab. "We're near the Reseca bridge now," said Andrews. Then he added: "If only the rain doesn't come down hard enough to put out our fires! It may take us longer.... Hey, Knight! Stop here! We'll tear up the rails!" The _General_ glided around a sharp curve in the road and came to a stop. The men jumped out from the box-car. "Pull up some rails here, men," ordered Andrews. "Break the wires, Scott." Scott was already halfway up a telegraph pole. "We dumped some ties out on the road back there," said Ross. "They're lying across the rails." "Good!" answered Andrews. "I think we've left them behind, but we can't take any chances. We may have to spend more time at the bridges starting the fires."