We were bounding along, said a recent traveller on a local South African single-line railway, "at the rate of about seven miles an hour, and the whole train was shaking terribly. I expected every moment to see my bones protruding through my skin. Passengers were rolling from one end of the car to the other. I held on firmly to the arms of the seat. Presently we settled down a bit quieter; at least I could keep my hat on and my teeth didn't chatter.
"There was a quiet-looking man opposite me. I looked up with a ghastly smile, wishing to appear cheerful, and said:
'We are going a bit smoother, I see.'
" 'Yes,' he said, 'we're off the track now,'