“The Next Moment Was a Blank”

Chasing an Iron Horse

Or

A Boy’s Adventures in the Civil War

By

EDWARD ROBINS

Author of “With Washington in Braddock’s Campaign,”

“A Boy in Early Virginia,” etc.

PHILADELPHIA

GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO.

PUBLISHERS

Copyright, 1902,

By George W. Jacobs & Co.

Published August, 1902.

Preface

The locomotive chase in Georgia, which forms what may be called the background of this story, was an actual occurrence of the great Civil War. But I wish to emphasize the fact that the following pages belong to the realm of fiction. Some of the incidents, and the character of Andrews, are historic, whilst other incidents and characters are imaginary. The reader who would like to procure an account of the chase as it really happened should consult the narrative of the Reverend William Pittenger. Mr. Pittenger took part in the expedition organized by Andrews, and his record of it is a graphic contribution to the annals of the conflict between North and South.

Edward Robins.

CONTENTS

CHAPTERPAGE
I.HAZARDOUS PLANS [7]
II.NEARING THE GOAL [27]
III.MINGLING WITH THE ENEMY [56]
IV.PLOT AND PLOTTERS [95]
V.ON THE RAIL [121]
VI.AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE [156]
VII.ENERGETIC PURSUIT [188]
VIII.TWO WEARY WANDERERS [206]
IX.IN GREATEST PERIL [232]
X.FINAL TRIALS [263]

Illustrations

“The Next Moment was a blank”[Frontispiece]
The Major merely changed the position of his legs[82]
Fuller was steaming to the northward with “The Yonah”[192]
None too soon had he executed this manœuvre[214]
Watson placed his hand over the man’s mouth[270]

Chasing an Iron Horse