“What! and leave the engine in the hands of the enemy? Not much. Besides, I am certain the British must control this road at the other end or it would have been destroyed by this time. We’ll just keep on going and see what happens.”
“Well, something will happen, all right,” said Chester. “I can feel it in my bones. However, you are the doctor. Forward it is, then.”
The locomotive was going more slowly now, Hal always keeping a keen eye ahead. For perhaps five minutes they rode along without incident; then suddenly Hal, without even a word to Chester, “opened her up” again.
Once more the huge locomotive jumped forward.
“What’s the matter now?” cried Chester, springing to Hal’s side.
“Matter!” shouted Hal. “Look ahead.”
Chester peered out, and drew his head back with an exclamation.
“More Germans, eh!” he muttered, and then shouted. “You do the driving and I’ll keep her hot.”
“Good!” Hal called back, never taking his eyes from the road ahead.
Apparently the Germans were unconscious of the approach of the locomotive, for they did not even glance in its direction. Troopers stood beside either side of the track, and several groups were standing between the rails.