sides of the screen, caused
an eddy which sent up a cloud of coal-dust, but neither John nor his
mate appeared to care for this. Their eyes were evidently coal-proof.

Presently they approached a canal over which they rushed, and, for one
moment, glanced down on the antipodal mode of locomotion--a boat going
three miles an hour with its steersman half asleep and smoking at the
helm! Next moment they were passing under a bridge; the next over a
town, and then rushed through a station, and it was interesting to note
as they did so, that the people on the platform shrank back and looked
half-terrified, although they were in no danger whatever, while those in
the train--who might at any moment have been hurled into eternity--
looked calm and serene, evidently untroubled by thoughts of danger; so
difficult is it for man to realise his true condition in such
circumstances. Just beyond the station a dog was observed to have
strayed on the line, and ran barking before the engine. It was
overtaken and passed in a few seconds, and Will looked over the side but
saw nothing of it. As no yell was heard, it is probable that the poor
thing escaped. Soon after that, two navvies were observed walking
coolly and slowly on the line in front of the engine. John frowned and
laid his hand on the whistle, but before it could sound, the reckless
men had heard the train, looked round with horrified faces, sprang like
jumping-jacks off the line, right and left, and were gone!

Soon after this, on approaching the distant signal of one of the
stations, they observed that the arms were extended, indicating that the
line was "blocked"--that is, that another train being in advance they
must check speed or perhaps stop. This was a species of insult to the
"Flying Dutchman," whose way ought to have been kept perfectly clear,
for even a check of speed would inevitably cause the loss of several
minutes. With an indignant grumble John Marrot cut off steam, but
immediately the signals were lowered and he was allowed to go on.
Again, in a few minutes, another signal checked him.

"They've let a train on before us," growled John, sternly, "and p'raps
we may be checked all the way to London--but some one shall hear of
this, an' have to account for it."

John was wrong to some extent. While he yet spoke the signal to go on
was given, and a few minutes later the "Flying Dutchman" flashed past
the obstructing train, which had been shunted on to a si