But
while the detonations still echoed, and before the flying missiles
had ceased to shower, the human ants were moiling at their hills
once more, the wheels were turning again, the jaws of the iron
hogs were clanking.
Through this upheaval the motor-car penetrated, dodging trains of
"flats," which moved sluggishly to afford them passage up and down
over the volcanic furrows at the bottom of the gorge or along some
shelf beneath which the foundations were being dug. At times a
shovel reached out its five-yard steel jaw and gently cleared the
rails of debris, or boosted some bowlder from the path with all
the skill of a giant hand and fingers. Up and down the canon
rolled spasmodic rumblings, like broadsides from a fleet of
battle-ships.
"Somebody with a head for figures has estimated what it costs the
government to send a motor-car like this through the Cut in
working hours," Runnels said. "I don't remember the exact amount,
but it was some thousands of dollars."
"Delays to trains, I suppose?"
"Yes. A minute here, thirty seconds there. Every second means a
certain number of cubic yards unremoved, and holds back the
opening of the Canal just so much. You have postponed a great
event several minutes, Mr. Anthony.
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