ited,
so that they neglected to take the proper precaution of sending back one
of their number to stop the train that followed them. This would have
been a matter of little consequence had the line been worked on the
block system, because, in that case, the danger-signal would have been
kept up, and would have prevented the excursion train from entering on
that portion of the line until it was signalled "clear;" but the block
system had been only partially introduced on the line. A sufficient
interval of _time_ had been allowed after the mineral train had passed
the last station, and then, as we have seen, the excursion train was
permitted to proceed. Thus it came to pass that at a part of the line
where there was a slight curve and a deep cutting, John Marrot looking
anxiously through his circular window, saw the red tail-light of the
mineral train.

Instantly he cried, "Clap on the brakes, Bill!"

Almost at the same moment he reversed the engine and opened the whistle
to alarm the guard, who applied his brakes in violent haste. But it was
too late. The speed could not be checked in time. The rails were
slippery, owing to rain. Almost at full speed they dashed into the
mineral train with a noise like thunder. The result was appalling. The
engine was smashed and twisted in a manner that is quite indescribable,
and the tender was turned completely over, while the driver and fireman
were shot as if from a cannon's mouth, high into the air. The first two
carriages of the passenger-train, and the last van of the mineral, were
completely wrecked; and over these the remaining carriages of the
passenger-train were piled until they reached an incredible height. The
guard's van was raised high in the air, with its ends resting on a
third-class carriage, which at one end was completely smashed in by the
van.

At the time of the concussion--just after the terrible crash--there was
a brief, strange, unearthly silence. All was still for a few seconds,
and passengers who were uninjured gazed at each other in mute and
horrified amazement. But death in that moment had passed upon many,
while others were fearfully mangled. The silence was almost immediately
broken by the cries and groans of the wounded. Some had been forcibly
thrown out of the carriages, others had their legs and arms broken, and
some were jammed into fixed positions from which death alone relieved
them. The scenes that followed were heart-rending. T