[General] hit the ties/count the ties

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

It was up to me to hit the ties to Wadsworth, and hit them I did… (J.London “The Road”,”Hobos that pass in the night”)

hit the ties = count the ties = go on foot on railway

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V.

 

[Rover_KE]

'...walk along the railway line...'

AE - railroad ties; BE - railway sleepers: those wooden planks or concrete blocks which support railway lines and keep them the right distance apart.

Rover