The train of armored cars was gone. Alongside the track lay pieces of wreckage, and many bodies and pieces of what had once been machine guns.
"Another shell," he said slowly. "But how does it happen we were not killed also?"
"I don't know," said Chester, "but I judge the shell must have struck in the middle of the train. Look, there is nothing left but the engine."
It was true. In some unaccountable manner the engine had escaped scot free. At that moment Hal, who had glanced out from the other side of the cab, made a startling discovery.
"Wow!" he shouted. "Here come the Germans again--thousands of 'em. We are goners, now, sure."
But, before Chester could reply, Hal jumped forward. With one hand he released the brakes and threw the throttle wide--and the huge locomotive leaped suddenly forward.
"It's our only chance," Hal shouted to Chester. "The track behind is covered with wreckage, and it is impossible to go that way."
That the Germans understood their ruse was soon apparent. There was a shout from the oncoming horde, and the sharp crack of rifles and bullets began to spatter against the side of the engine.
"Well, we'll give 'em a chase, anyhow," said Hal grimly.
The engine rocked crazily as it dashed along, and the boys hung on to whatever offered for dear life. Around curve after curve they shot with a lurch, the locomotive threatening at every turn to leave the rails.
"Where is the end of this road?" asked Chester of Hal, raising his voice to a shout to make himself heard above the roar of the speeding locomotive.
"Then you had better slow down. The tracks in front may be torn up and we would certainly be killed."
Quickly he closed the throttle and applied the brakes. The huge mogul trembled violently and shook all over, but its speed was soon slackened.
Looking behind, the two lads saw that they had left their pursuers far in the rear, and both breathed more freely.
"How far are we going on this thing, anyhow?" Chester demanded. "Don't you think we had better get off and walk back?"
"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."