On the high ridges of the mountain goats were pasturing, and not far
from them a shepherd's fire was blazing, and the shepherd himself sat
beside it. I remember all these accessories as well as if they were
still before my eyes. I can see the white goats climbing up and pulling
at the broom-plants. I can see the shepherd's black form, encircled by
the light of the fire, and the white watch-house with its black leaden
roof, the high signal-pole in front of it, above which all at once a
great flaming star arises.




II.

THE DARK GOD.


I was gazing at that shining red light, when all at once I felt a
concussion, as if the train had met with some impediment. I heard the
jolting of the foremost cars, and had time to prepare for the shock
which was sure to follow; but when it did come, it was so great that it
threw me to the opposite wall of the corridor.

Yet the train moved on as before, so that it could not have been
disabled, as I at first thought. I heard the guards run from carriage to
carriage, opening the doors, and I could see great clouds of steam arise
from the puffing and blowing engines. The friction of the wheels made a
grating noise, and I leaned out of the window to ascertain the nature of
the danger. Was another train approaching, and a collision inevitable? I
could see nothing, but suddenly I beheld the figure of the shepherd, and