"Then I'll turn the switch myself, and if you try to stop me I'll have you
up for treason!" Andrews said it so calmly, so quietly, that the agent's
jaw drooped.

The second special came creaking into the station. Andrews ran forward and
shouted: "Run down until you clear the switch." The engineer nodded. "Tom,
get down there and throw that switch!"

"Yes, sir."

Tom ran to the switch and waited. The station agent, with the other
trainmen, had withdrawn to one side; they were holding an excited
discussion as to what he should do.

The last car of the train rounded the bend. It carried no red flag! The
road was clear ahead of them!

Tom threw the switch as the wheels of the last car passed. He waved to
Andrews and the _General_ rolled toward him. Then, just as he was aboard
and their train was twisting into the main track, they heard a piercing
whistle from the south.

"They're after us!" exclaimed Andrews. "Probably a train from Atlanta
pursuing us! As fast as you can make her go, Knight."

The _General_ went lunging down the track, gathering speed.