A week later the long-belated big storm appeared at hand.

McDonnell telephoned Bryant one morning, a morning in February now, that the weather forecast predicted blizzard conditions sweeping down the Rocky Mountain region from the Northwest.

A mile of excavation yet remained to do.

Lee at once sent Saurez and other Mexicans abroad in the native settlements with offers of double wages and this drew the most indolent back to camp again.

They were flung into the night shift, which toiled with increased vigour at news of the impending storm.