All felt intense relief when they left the train and stood upon the solid, though decidedly damp earth.
But the cold rain sweeping upon their faces was a tonic, both mental and physical, after the close heat of the train.

They did not know why they had disembarked, but they surmised with good reason that an attack was threatened and they were eager to meet it.
Dick and Warner were near the head of the line on the right of the tracks, and Sergeant Whitley was with them.

The train began to puff heavily, and in spite of every precaution some sparks flew from the smoke-stack.

Dick knew that it was bound to rumble and rattle when it started, but he was surprised at the enormous amount of noise it made, when the wheels really began to turn.

It seemed to him that in the silence of the night it could be heard three or four miles.