He ran back to where the men were working at the rail, grabbed the iron bar and rained blows down upon the spikes. When half of the spikes had been drawn, he yelled, "Pry this up!" They put the iron bar beneath the rail, and pulled. Slowly the remaining spikes gave way, and the _inside rail of the curve_ rattled down the embankment. "Now for the other side," ordered Andrews. The men were beginning to attack the spikes when a prolonged blast of a locomotive whistle sounded to the south. There was an instant of quiet; then Andrews yelled: "Come on! They're after us, but that rail will be enough to wreck them!" They ran for the train. CHAPTER ELEVEN THE PURSUIT The screeching whistle of the _Yonah_, which had sent the _General_ speeding away from Kingston, was a warning to the engineer of the freight train blocking the way of the pursuers. It had pulled out of the station and was lumbering southward, intending to make the side-track at Cass Station and wait for Fuller's passenger train. Brakes were twisted, and the two locomotives approached each other slowly. "Our fuel's about gone," said Murphy. Fuller was swinging from the _Yonah's_ cab, ready to jump off. "Then we'll get aboard the freight," he replied. The others followed him. "Back into the station," ordered Fuller, as he climbed into the cab of the freight locomotive. "The Yanks have stolen my train!" "They've just pulled out!" answered the engineer. He threw the engine into reverse, while the fireman swung on the whistle cord. Fuller sprang into the tender, climbed the wood pile and up on the box-car. The second freight was just pulling out, blocking the track. He waved and yelled to Murphy, who yanked at the whistle. The second freight stopped and waited. At that moment a combined passenger and freight train from the branch line to Rome swung around the bend and pulled into the station. The congestion was complete. With the fuel-less _Yonah_ at one end, and the Rome train at the other, the three freights were hopelessly locked and tangled. Fuller ran back to the engine. "Come on," he said. "We'll take the Rome engine." "This engine is faster," answered Murphy. "We can shunt the cars on the side-track and run her backwards." "It'll take a half-hour to get her clear," said Fuller. "Come on!" He jumped from the train, and ran up the track. Murphy, still protesting, ran after him. It was their second foot race that day, and they arrived at the station winded. "Cut that engine loose!" yelled Fuller. The station agent recognized him, and asked what had happened. "The Yanks!" answered Fuller. It was explanation enough. The Rome engine, supplied with fuel for its return trip, was uncoupled. "Telegraph Chattanooga train stolen by Yanks. Am in pursuit." The station agent ran to his office, but it was too late to get the message through; Andrews' men had already torn the line down.