Ten minutes later Andrews called to Knight to stop. "Tell them to tear up
the tracks and break the telegraph line, Tom," he ordered.
Tom climbed over the tender and into the freight car. He repeated Andrews'
orders. Shadrack grabbed him and asked: "What was that we struck back
there?"
"Curve in the road," answered Tom. "Almost threw me from the tender."
"It bounced me five times between the walls of this car," answered
Shadrack.
The train came to a stop and the men streamed out through the back end of
the car. Scott fairly shot up the telegraph pole.
Once again the whistle of the pursuers sounded.
"'Board," shouted Andrews. "Never mind about the track." When Tom joined
him in the engine, he said: "Have the men start a fire in the freight car.
We'll leave it in the first bridge shed. It's our last chance."
"How about the tunnel?" asked Tom. "An ambush--anything. Stop and fight
them!"
"No--not now. Hurry! Get that fire started! Use the engine fuel!"
Tom went to the box-car. "Andrews wants you to start a fire here. We'll
drop the car under the bridge shed. When you get the fire going, climb
aboard the tender." He left the men gathering the splintered boards into a
heap, and returned to the engine.
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