Do the best you can!" Bohannan had no breath for answering.

Every ounce of energy of all seven men was being flung into that mad labor.

Sweat streamed into their eyes, half blinding them; they dashed it off, and struck again and again.

The cement crumbled and gave; the heavy gold band commenced to bend; Rennes got his crowbar into an advantageous leverage and gave a mighty heave.
The stone seemed to cry aloud, with a dry, harsh screaming sound of outraged agony, as it yielded.

It was only the sundering of the mortar, of course; but a chill ran up the major's spine, and goose-flesh prickled all over him.