Evidently the animals instinctively knew the danger, for above the
rattle and roar of the train could occasionally be heard some of those
strange trumpetings which proceed from an animal only in moments of
danger--often just before a storm or cyclone. Momentarily I expected
the whole train to be thrown from the tracks and down the mountain
side. By the occasional streaks of light that flew past us I could see
the blanched faces of both the engineer and fireman, and knew that they
fully realized our awful danger. Both of them, however, kept perfectly
cool, and I tried to imitate their example. How far I succeeded I do
not know, but I do know that my nerves were strung to a higher pitch
than they ever were before.
A blinding rainstorm added to the horror of the situation, and, with
the speed at which we were traveling, each drop seemed to have the
penetrating power of a shot. Quick as a flash the thought passed
through my head: What if we meet a train? Just at that moment we sped
past Blairsville at the junction of the branch road and the main line.
The station lights seemed mere specks. As we struck the switch the
engine jumped and almost left the track. Looking back we could see the
rear lights of our train swaying in the path like a ship tempest-tossed
at sea. Our speed seemed to increase as we flew along the main line.
We had gone twenty miles when a whistle was heard ahead.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Another train," replied the engineer; "it will pass us now," and as he
was speaking the reflecting lights of its engine appeared, apparently
not six rods from us. With lightning rapidity the trains passed each
other and the "windage," to use a nautical term, nearly took my breath.
During all this time, which positively seemed hours, my thoughts were
not of the pleasantest. On, on we dashed, the engine frequently jumping
as it struck something on the track. It seemed to me a miracle that the
train did not lurch sheer over some one of the terrible embankments.
The fireman was not engaged in tending the fire. It was unnecessary. We
were all mute spectators of the scene being enacted by this silent
machine--the marvelous and lifelike invention of man. Gradually, at
last, our speed began to slacken. We had reached a grade. The danger
was past and our lives were saved!