“No.”
THEY WHIRLED BY, AND THE REST WAS LOST.
On they rushed through the darkness, bobbing up and down like jumping-jacks, the little car rumbling and screeching, and bounding forward like a live thing.
The terrific and unaccustomed strain began to tell on Alex. Perspiration broke out on his forehead, his muscles began to burn, and his breath to shorten.
“How much farther ... to the grade?” he panted.
“Here it is now. Six hundred yards to the top.”
As they felt the resistance of the incline Alex began to weaken and gasp for breath. Grimly, however, he clenched his teeth, and fought on; and at last the section-man suddenly ceased working, and announced “Here we are. Let up.” With a gasp of relief Alex dropped to a sitting position on the side of the car.