Dr. Dumanys Wife | Page 5

these accessories as well as if they were still
before my eyes. I can see the white goats climbing up and pulling at the
broom-plants. I can see the shepherd's black form, encircled by the
light of the fire, and the white watch-house with its black leaden roof,
the high signal-pole in front of it, above which all at once a great
flaming star arises.

II.
THE DARK GOD.
I was gazing at that shining red light, when all at once I felt a
concussion, as if the train had met with some impediment. I heard the
jolting of the foremost cars, and had time to prepare for the shock
which was sure to follow; but when it did come, it was so great that it
threw me to the opposite wall of the corridor.
Yet the train moved on as before, so that it could not have been
disabled, as I at first thought. I heard the guards run from carriage to
carriage, opening the doors, and I could see great clouds of steam arise
from the puffing and blowing engines. The friction of the wheels made
a grating noise, and I leaned out of the window to ascertain the nature
of the danger. Was another train approaching, and a collision inevitable?
I could see nothing, but suddenly I beheld the figure of the shepherd,
and saw him raise his staff aloft. I followed the motion of his hand, and
with a thrill of horror I saw a great ledge of rock sliding downward
with threatening speed, while at the same time a shower of small stones
crashed on the roof of the cars.
I did not wait for the guards to open my door. I had it open in an instant.
From the other carriages passengers were jumping out at the risk of life
and limb, for the train was running at full speed.
I hastily ran into the coupé to awaken my travelling companions, but
found them up. "Madam," I said, "I am afraid that we are in danger of a
serious accident. Pray come out quickly!"
"Save the child!" she answered; and I caught the little boy, took him in
my arms, and ran out.
The train was gliding perpetually on, and I bethought myself of the
recommendation of one who is jumping from a running vehicle, to leap
forward, because in jumping sideways or backward he invariably falls
under the wheels. So I followed the recommendation and leaped.

Fortunately, I reached the ground, although my knees doubled up under
me, and I struck the knuckles of my right hand a hard blow. The child
had fainted in my arms, but only from fright; otherwise he had received
no harm. I laid him on the ground in a safe place, and ran with all my
might after the train to help the lady out. She was standing on the steps,
already prepared for the jump. I extended my hand to her, impatiently
crying "Quick!" But instead of taking my proffered hand she exclaimed,
"Oh! I have forgotten my bonnet and veil," and back she ran into the
coupé, never again to come forth.
At that moment I felt a tremendous shock, as if the earth had quaked
and opened beneath me, and this was followed by a deafening uproar,
the clashing of stones, the cracking of wood and glass, the grating and
crushing of iron, and the pitiful cries of men, women, and children. The
great mass of rock broke through the protecting barricade and rushed
right upon the engine. The huge, steam-vomiting leviathan was crushed
in an instant, and the copper and steel fragments scattered everywhere.
Three of the wheels were shattered, and with that the iron colossus
came to a dead stop, the suddenness of which threw the carriages
crashing on top of each other. This fearful havoc was not all. Through
the breach which the great rock had made in the barricade, an incessant
avalanche of stones, from the size of a cannon-ball to that of a
wheelbarrow, descended upon the train, crushing everything beneath
into fragments, pushing the unhappy train into the chasm below, into
the valley of death and destruction. Like a huge serpent it slid down,
the great glowing furnace with its feeding coals undermost, and then
the whole wrecked mass of carriages tumbled after, atop of each other,
while cries of despair were heard on every side. Then I saw the rear
car--that in which I had been sitting--stand up erect on top of the others,
while on its roof fell, with thunderous violence, the awful shower of
stones. Mutely I gazed on, until a large stone struck the barricade just
where I stood, and then I realised that the danger was not over, and ran
for shelter.
The stones were