Of them all that knew what ought to be done;
For his fading eye grew quick with a fear,
As if of some danger approaching near.
And it sought—not the wreck of his train that lay
Over the six and the four feet away—
But down the track, for there hung on his mind
The South Express coming up behind.
And he half arose with a stifled groan,
While his voice had the same old ring in its tone:
“Signal the South Express!” he said,