Ahead lay the clear straight road down which the General had swept just a few minutes before. There were no obstructions, and no breaks as far as Fuller and Murphy could see. They had climbed to the edge of the tender and were sitting, clutching the sides, studying the tracks ahead of them.
"Stop at Calhoun!" called Fuller, and the order was passed back to the engineer. As the station swung into view, the Texas came to a halt, with her brakes screaming.
Fuller jumped off. "That train—stolen!" he said to the station agent.
"Out of here five minutes ago."
"Get aboard!"
Fuller dragged the protesting station agent to the engine. When the Texas had started again, he explained: "The lines are down. I want you to jump off at Dalton, if we haven't caught them before then, and send through this message. If we press them fast enough they won't have time to cut the lines."
Fuller took a pencil and paper and wrote the message:
"To Gen. Leadbetter,
"Commander at Chattanooga:
"My train captured this A.M. at Big Shanty, evidently by Federal soldiers in disguise. They are making for Chattanooga, possibly with the idea of burning the railroad bridges in their rear. If I do not capture them in the meantime, see that they do not pass Chattanooga.