de for time-taking.

One of the time-keepers, taking two stop-watches in his hand, started
the split-second-hands of both with one movement of his muscles,
exactly together. To one or other of these timepieces all the watches
on the train were set.

In one of the parlor cars, as nearly as might be in the middle of the
length of the train, two tables were set, one on either side of the
aisle. The time-keepers had agreed to relieve each other at each stop
at the end of a division, one being always on duty, and the other
close at hand to verify any record on which a question might arise.
The time-keeper on duty sat at one of the tables, watch in hand.
Opposite to him was a representative of the railway company, with no
power to originate a record, but to check each stop in case an
error should occur. Across the aisle sat the official recorder, a
representative of the Wagner Palace Car Company, and opposite to him a
representative of the daily press.

For two minutes before the time for starting, silence settled down
upon the car. The shades were pulled down over every window. Inside,
the car was brilliantly lighted with Pintsch gas; and the eyes of
every man were on the face of the watch which each held in his
hand, and his finger was ready to press the stop which splits the
second-hand. The two minutes passed slowly, and the silence was almost
painful as the watches showed that the moment was close at hand.
Suddenly the smallest perceptible jerk told that the wheels had
moved, and on the instant the split-hand of every watch in the car had
recorded the fact. "Three--twenty-nine--twenty-seven!" announced the
time-keeper.

"Three--twenty-nine--twenty-seven!" echoed the representative of the
railway company.

"Three--twenty-nine--twenty-seven!" called the recorder as he entered
the figures on the sheet before him.

"Three--twenty-nine--twenty-seven!" said the member of the press.

The start had been made thirty-three seconds ahead of time, and each
member of the party settled himself down to the work ahead.

Over each division of the road the superintendent of that division
rode as "caller-off" of the stations as they were passed. It was
necessary, during the first hours of darkness especially, that some
one should do this who was familiar with every foot of the track--some
one who would not have to rely on eyesight alone, but to whose
accustomed senses every sway of the car as a curve was passed, and
every sound