Where could it have come from and what force sent
it flying so rapidly along the rails? Where did it
coihe from and where was it flying to?

If I had been superstitious I should have made
up my mind it was a party of demons and witches
journeying to a devils 9 sabbath, and should have
gone on my way; but as it was, the phenomenon
was absolutely inexplicable to me. I did not believe
my eyes, and was entangled in conjectures like a fly
in a spider's web. . ..
I suddenly realized that I was utterly alone on
the whole vast plain; that the night, which by now
seemed inhospitable, was peeping into my face and
dogging my footsteps; all the sounds, the cries of the
birds, the whisperings of the trees, seemed sinister,
and existing simply to alarm my imagination. I
dashed on like a madman, and without realizing
what I was doing I ran, trying to run faster and
faster. And at once I heard something to which I



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Panic Fears 249

had paid no attention before: that is, the plaintive
whining of the telegraph wires.
"This is beyond everything," I said, trying to
shame myself. "It's cowardice! it's silly!"

But cowardice was stronger than common sense.
I only slackened my pace when I reached the green
light, where I saw a dark signal-box, and near it on
the embankment the figure of a man, probably the
signalman.
"Did you see it?" I asked breathlessly.
"See whom? What?"

"Why, a truck ran by."

"I saw it, . . ." the peasant said reluctantly.
