The Right of Way 203 



something, but out here it is different. 

 This is the kind of country for me," and he 

 pointed with his finger out of the cab-win- 

 dow to the free, far horizon across the 

 Illinois prairies. 



With the throwing open of the throttle, 

 the powerful engine shot forward like a 

 mighty steed given its head ; not with a 

 sudden spurt, for the long train behind pro- 

 hibited that, but with steady insistence. 



Each moment the clamor of the car- 

 wheels behind and the pounding of the 

 mighty drivers upon the rails became more 

 thunderous. Black smoke poured from her 

 funnel and the blow of the escaping steam, 

 each time the valves shifted their position, 

 was like the beating of a strong heart. It 

 was a heart, the heart of the great locomo- 

 tive which pushed with herculean strength, 

 as the giant machine unloosed itself and 

 let go its pounding drivers and pulsating 

 piston. 



