a precautionary measure.

Thus the first day's campaign against death closed with the issue still
undecided, but the chances for winning were certainly greater than they
had been. What the result would be when Craigin was able to take command
again, no one could say. But in the meantime, for the next two days,
the work on the dump was prosecuted with all vigour, the men feeling in
honour bound to support the doctor in that part of the fight which fell
to them.

XVIII

THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CROW'S NEST

Mr. Maclennan was evidently worried. His broad, good-humoured face,
which usually wore a smile indicating content with the world and
especially with himself, was drawn into a frown. The muskeg was beating
him, and he hated to be beaten. He was bringing in General Manager Fahey
to have a look at things. It was important to awaken the sympathy of the
General Manager, if, indeed, this could be accomplished. But the General
Manager had a way of insisting upon his contracts being fulfilled, and
this stretch in Maclennan's charge was the one spot which the General
Manager feared would occasion delay.

"There's the hole," said Maclennan, as they turned down the hill into
the swamp. "Into that hole," he continued, pointing to where the dump
ended abruptly in the swamp, "I can't tell you how many millions of
carloads have been dumped. I used to brag that I was never beaten in my
life, but that hole--"

"Maclennan, that hole has got to be filled up, bridged, or trestled, and
we can't wait too long, either."

The General Manager's name was a synonym for a relentless sort of energy
in railroad construction that refused to consider obstacles. Nothing
could stand in his way. The thing behind which he put the weight of
his determination simply had to move in one direction or other. The
contractor that failed expected no mercy, and received none.

"We're doing our best," said Maclennan, "and we will continue to do our
best. Hello! what's this? What's Craigin doing up here? Hold up, Sandy.
We'll look in."

At the door of the hospital Dr. Haines met him.

"Hello, Doctor! What have you got here?"

"Isolation hospital," replied the doctor shortly.

"What hospital?"

"Isolation."

"Has Craigin gone mad all at once?"

"Craigin has nothing to do with it. There's a new boss in camp."

A look of wrathful amazement crossed Maclennan's countenance. Haines was
beginning to enjoy himself.

"A new boss? What