[4] Corpo... Maccabei! Zounds! The Maccabei were seven brothers who, with their mother, are said to have suffered martyrdom under Antiochus Epiphanes, King of Syria, in 168 B.C.
[5] Sarà più in là, It must be farther on.
[6] casa cantoniera, flagman's house.
[7] due occhi di fuoco, refers to the locomotive with two headlights.
XII. UN NAUFRAGIO.
[1] mandato a picco, sunk.
[2] mi guardai bene dal, I was very careful not to.
[3] si strinse nelle spalle, shrugged his shoulders.
[4] che fa l'esercizio, drilling, on parade.
[5] Cos'è? Cos'è stato? What's the matter? What has happened?