Farber asks me if that is a compound engine that is passing. I tell him "Yes." The engine is a Mallet with 6 drivers (in 2 sets of 3 each) on each side. The engine is shiny and clean, and looks brand new. Farber goes on to say that he is now getting about 2 cents per mile from his car [Note: doesn't make sense, but seemed to be what he said] I then do a little mental arithmetic; evidently to compare my own experience with his; this involves multiplying 4 x 2 1/2, giving one 10. I then seem to have good reason to answer Farber, "No, not so good."  Following this episode, Hoffman and I start out walking from my hometown R.R. station towards K's hill. We seem to be discussing question of car-operation cost, especially of Farber's and my car. I state that any economy test should, to mean anything, be conducted under conditions the same for both cars -- that is, gasoline, oil, etc., should be purchased at same station and, furthermore, the 2 cars should be fastened together with ropes so that they would be sure to travel the same road, at the same speed, etc. Also, the cars should be run a considerable distance -- not just a few miles. Hoffman smiles and agrees with me. By this time we have reached a rather narrow, sandy road leading off to the west. Near us, the road runs between banks 3 or 4 feet high. A mountain lion, closely pursued by a dog, runs along the road towards us. When it reaches the banks, its leaps up on the one to our right, but appears nearly exhausted and the dog grabs one of its hind legs. The lion lies on ground until the near approach of a man, who runs up with a long pole in his hands. He strikes lion several times with the pole, and then handling it as though it were a spear (one end being tapered, but not sharpened) he jabs it rapidly at the lion without actually touching the animal. The lion makes 3 or 4 fierce lunges at the man but is prevented from reaching him by the dog who holds on for dear life. The snarling lion, with widely opened mouth, is a fearsome object, but the man moves backward barely enough to avoid the claws or teeth of the lion. Evidently the man could kill the lion instantly but is giving it a fighting chance. After the fourth lunge (by which it seems to almost tear loose from the dog) the lion drops dead. I commend the man for his sportsmanship.