  [New Hamburg, N.Y., February, 1871.] Over the length of the beaten track, Into the darkness deep and black, Heavy and fast As a mountain blast, With scream of whistle and clang of gong, The great train rattled and thundered along. Travelers, cushioned and sheltered, sat, Passing the time with doze and chat; Thinking of naught With danger fraught; Whiling the hours with whim and song, As the great train rattled and thundered along. Covered and still the sleepers lay, Lost to the dangers of the way; Wandering back, Adown life's track, A thousand dreamy scenes among; And the great train rattled and thundered along. Heavily breathed the man of care; Lightly slept the maiden fair; And the mother pressed Unto her breast Her beautiful babes, with yearning strong; And the great train rattled and thundered along. Shading his eyes with his brawny hand, Danger ahead the driver scanned; And he turned the steam; For the red light's gleam Flashed warning to him there was something wrong; But the great train rattled and thundered along. "Down the brakes!" rang the driver's shout: "Down the brakes!" sang the whistle out: But the speed was high, And the danger nigh, And Death was waiting to build his pyre; And the train dashed into a river of fire. Into the night the red flames gleamed; High they leaped and crackled and streamed: And the great train loomed, Like a monster doomed, In the midst of the flames and their ruthless ire— In the murderous tide of a river of fire. Roused the sleeper within his bed: A crash, a plunge, and a gleam of red, And the sweltering heat Of his winding-sheet Clung round his form, with an agony dire: He moaned and died in a river of fire. And they who were spared from the fearful death, Thanked God for life, with quickened breath, And groaned that too late, From a terrible fate To rescue their comrades was their desire, Ere they sunk in a river of death and fire. Pity for them who, helpless, died, And sunk in the river's merciless tide: And blessings infold The driver bold, Who, daring for honor, and not for hire, Went down with his train in the river of fire. |
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