He saw the gleam of a big head light;

An east-bound stock run hummed the rail,

It was due at the switch to clear the mail.

As she pulled up close the head-end “shack”

Threw the switch to the passing track,

The stock rolled in and off the main,

The line was clear for the west-bound train.

As she hove in sight far up the track,

She was working steam with the brake shoes slack;

Whistling once at the whistling post,