1917_The_Finished_Mystery_Text

motion [not an automobile, as some think], and ifwe will be at the trouble to put ourselves in theProphet's place we can see just what he saw inhis vision and what he has so interestinglydescribed. First, the Prophet stands looking at theengine coming toward him, and then says, "Theshield [the thing ahead of this great warrior— theheadlight] is made red [shines brilliantly], thevaliant men [the engineer and the fireman] aredyed scarlet [when the flames from the fireboxilluminate the interior of the cab at night, as thefireman opens the fire-door to throw in the coal].The chariots [the railway coaches] shall be with[shall be preceded by locomotives that, at night,have the appearance of] flaming torches, in theDay of Preparation."Next the Prophet takes his place in the train andlooks out of the window, and, seemingly, "Thefir trees shall be terribly shaken [the telegraphpoles alongside the track seem to be fairlydancing]. The chariots shall rage in the streets [arailway is merely an elaborate, scientificallyconstructed street, or highway], they shall justleone against another in the broad ways [theclanking and bumping of the cars together is oneof the significant items of railway travel]. Theyshall seem like torches [a railway train at night,rushing through a distant field, looks like nothingso much as a vast torch, going at flying speed],they shall run like the lightnings."Next the Prophet sees the conductor coming forhis ticket and says, "He shall recount hisworthies [the conductor spends his entire time,almost, counting and recounting his passengers,keeping them checked up, etc.]; they shallstumble in their walk [try walking on a rapidlymoving train]; they shall make haste to the wallthereof [to the next city or town] and the coverer[the train shed, the station] shall be prepared [thebaggageman, expressman, mail wagon, hotelbus, intending passengers, and friends to meetincoming passengers, will all be there waiting forthe train to come]. The gates of the rivers shallbe opened [the doors of the cars will be openedand the people will flow out] and the palace [car]shall be dissolved [emptied]."