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!