Front matter

“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

CHAPTER PAGE

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