noon
`` All right , sir , I 'll do my best to go through in safety , '' he said , and he grasped the outstretched hand of the agent , who said : `` I feel as though I was shaking hands with a man about to die . '' `` Now , I do n't feel that way in the least , '' was the laughing response , and Harding sprang up to the box , seized the reins , cracked his whip when he got the word , and was off . The crowd gathered there cheered him , of course , but a generally sad expression rested upon every face as they looked upon the brave young miner who had taken his life in his hand to drive what was now called the death-trap . Having halted for the night at the way cabin , Harding pushed on the next morning with the first glimmer of dawn , and reached the third relay at noon . There was then one more relay and the run into Last Chance , which in good weather could readily be made before sunset . He passed the last relay , and the stock-tender said , as he was about to start : `` Good-by , pard , and do you know I kinder feels as if yer was a dead man already ? '' `` Do n't you believe it , for I am worth a dozen dead men , old man , '' was the laughing response , and Harding drove on , with the Dead Line rising in his mind before him .