p. See, however, if you can't outwit the
outfit. Possibly you could push that mud house over from the rear by
means of a beam; that would do the business. I leave it to you to
decide what's best to do, men, after you've examined the situation."

"The camp will be unguarded except for you and the two men with you,"
Weir's assistant suggested. "If the crowd drinking down at that place
should take the notion to come here and tear things up, there would
be nothing to hinder them. A few should stay, anyway, I imagine--half
a dozen, who can use guns."

"Well, pick out six to remain," the other agreed.

For Meyers' suggestion had raised a disagreeable possibility. It was
never safe to ignore precautions when a gang of two or three hundred
rough, active laborers, however loyal when sober, were made
irresponsible and crazy by liquor; and one stage of drunkenness in
such men was usually manifested in a wild desire for violence. The
scheme of Weir's enemies might comprise using this very act for
wrecking the camp.

Six men, to be sure, would offer little resistance to stemming the
movement once it was started, but the sight of steel in the guards'
hands might cause even a reckless mob to pause long enough for an
appeal. If the men should be brought to listen, they could probably be
diverted from their purpose, as impassioned crowds are easily swayed
by men of force.

In any case the camp and dam should be defended to the last. That went
without saying.

Meyers and Atkinson had little more than departed with their muster of
engineers, foremen and sober workmen, some fifty in all, when the two
cars driven by Dr. Hosmer and Janet arrived at headquarters. To the
occupants of both machines the camp appeared singularly dark and
silent, the office building and the commissary shack alone showing
lights.

The four visitors entered the main room in the former building, where
they found Mr. Pollock and Martinez.

"Mr. Weir stepped out for a moment to make a round of the camp and the
horse corrals," the easterner replied in answer to an inquiry from the
doctor. "Will you be seated?" And he politely placed chairs for Janet
and Mary, while his look scrutinized the party with discreet
interest.

"Oh, Mr. Martinez, you've escaped!" Janet exclaimed, after a surprised
stare at the lawyer.

The Mexican smiled, bowed and drew one point of his black mustache
through his fingers.

"I have indeed, Miss Janet," said he. "Not without an un