[ So it really does propel itself. With gas, no less. Jack can't even begin to understand how that works, but he'll have some time to figure it out. ]

Well, you don't have to rely on horses for one.

[ They smell, and they're temperamental, and they need rest. If all this thing needs is gas, perhaps they're onto a winner. ]

Hope I'm not making too much of an assumption, but are you a fellow out-of-timer as well?