Then there was a heavy snorting and the locomotive came round a curve, rocking and belching out black smoke.

The cars banged and rattled, slowing with jarred couplings and rolling on when the driving wheels gripped.

Festing waited anxiously, because the wheels of a locomotive when driven hard strikes what is called a hammer blow.
By and by the ground began to throb; the vibration got sharper, and Festing watched the track as the engine passed.

Cinders rattled about him, there was a mist of snow, but he saw the cross-ties start and the rails spring up and down.

Then the clanging cars sped past, and when they had gone he climbed down the side of the bank.
It was now bare of snow and one could see the stones.