Every day, every hour, every minute counted now.

And as if in answer to their thoughts, the operator straightened, with a little gesture of hopelessness.
"Guess it's all off," came at last.

"The general superintendent in Denver's on the wire.

Says to back up everything to Tollifer, including the plows, and give up the ghost." "Give it up ?" Houston stared blankly at the telegrapher.

"But that's not railroading!" "It is when you're with a concern that's all but broke," answered the operator.