n account.

"At the time the jam broke this spring, we owed the men here for a
year's work. At that time I considered their demand for wages ill-timed
and grasping. I wish to apologize. After the money was paid them,
instead of scattering, they set to work under Jack Radway and Tim
Shearer to salvage your logs. They have worked long hours all summer.
They have invested every cent of their year's earnings in supplies and
tools, and now they are prepared to show you in the Company's booms,
three million feet of logs, rescued by their grit and hard labor from
total loss."

At this point the speaker was interrupted. "Saw off," "Shut up," "Give
us a rest," growled the audience. "Three million feet ain't worth
talkin' about," "You make me tired," "Say your little say the way you
oughter," "Found purty nigh two millions pocketed on Mare's Island, or
we wouldn't a had that much," "Damn-fool undertaking, anyhow."

"Men," cried Thorpe, "I have been very fortunate. From failure success
has come. But never have I been more fortunate than in my friends. The
firm is now on its feet. It could afford to lose three times the logs it
lost this year--"

He paused and scanned their faces.

"But," he continued suddenly, "it cannot now, nor ever can afford to
lose what those three million feet represent,--the friends it has made.
I can pay you back the money you have spent and the time you have put
in--" Again he looked them over, and then for the first time since
they have known him his face lighted up with a rare and tender smile
of affection. "But, comrades, I shall not offer to do it: the gift is
accepted in the spirit with which it was offered--"

He got no further. The air was rent with sound. Even the members of his
own party cheered. From every direction the crowd surged inward. The
women and Morton were forced up the platform to Thorpe. The latter
motioned for silence.

"Now, boys, we have done it," said he, "and so will go back to work.
From now on you are my comrades in the fight."

His eyes were dim; his breast heaved; his voice shook. Hilda was weeping
from excitement. Through the tears she saw them all looking at their
leader, and in the worn, hard faces glowed the affection and admiration
of a dog for its master. Something there was especially touching in
this, for strong men rarely show it. She felt a great wave of excitement
sweep over her. Instantly she was standing by Thorpe, her eyes
streaming, her breast throbb