half past eleven
The two great tree trunks were quickly cleared of their remaining branches by the axmen . Then Temple placed the jack-screws under them , and set to work to raise them into the desired position , so that they should lie parallel with each other , at the track level , with a space of about four and a half feet between their centers . As the jack-screws slowly brought them into position , Will Hallam and Duncan , one at either end of the logs -- directed men in the work of placing log supports under them . At half past eleven Temple announced that the great tree trunks were in place . Instantly twenty axmen were set at work hewing a flat place for rails along the top of each log , while other men , as fast as the hewing advanced , laid and spiked down the iron rails . At five minutes before noon , a gang of men , with shouts of enthusiastic triumph , seized upon the dumping car , which stood waiting , and pushed it across the line ! As this last act in the drama began , Guilford Duncan seized Barbara by the elbows , kissed her in the presence of all , lifted her off her feet , and placed her in the moving car .