Date: 1866
This somewhat hazardous move he commenced just as we struck a stretch of trestle-work which car ried the road over a gorge of some fifty feet deep.  As the locomotive reached the end of the trestle-work the grade rose a little, and I could see through or in a deep cut, which the road ran into, an obstruc tion.  What it was, or how far ahead, I had almost no conception ; but, quick as thought, — and thought is as quick as light ning in such circumstances — I whistled for the brakes, shut off the steam, and await ed the collision.