THE OVERLAND FLYER

TO-TOO! to-too! Ka-ding, ka-dong! Down the mole comes the flyer a-zipping along,— Smoke clouds panting and hissing of steam, Rattling of rails and a sudden scream!

The iron dragon snorts up to the station, The proudest beast in the wide creation; Fed on fire it puffs and blows, Cyclops-eyed like a fiend it glows.

We kiss our hands to the friends by the Bay, On the dragon’s tail we are whisked away, And faster we whiz by the glistening shore,— Towns spin past as we ride with a roar.

Now the iron throat is gasping astrain As the beast up the mountains is dragging his train. O where are you taking us, monster of steel? Out in the darkness the pine-trees reel!

Over the desert we swing and fly, Towns and prairies are flashing by; When, lo! to your castle you plunge in the night,— The great walls tower in ghostly light.

Does a princess live in that tall black tower? Are all of the people here under your power? I never was certain that dragons were true Till I got on your tail and rode with you!