ne, it would, no doubt,
begin again in the morning, and he might have some trouble in hiding his
weakness from the foreman. He could lay off for a day or two, but as
his wages would stop and his board would be charged, it would cost him
something. Besides, if he laid off once or twice, he would be told to
leave.

This, however, did not account for his moodiness. He knew of no cure
except rest, but it was easy to find relief; a small dose of spirit
would banish the pain for a time. The remedy was dangerous, particularly
to him, since it offered an excuse for repeated indulgence, and he
struggled with the temptation. Liquor was difficult to get, because
there was no settlement for some distance and the engineers had tried to
cut off supplies, but it could be got. In fact, Charnock knew where he
could buy as much whisky as he wanted, at something above its proper
price. So far he had not done so, but continued self-denial would
require a stern effort. A drink would banish the pain and enable him to
work.

He had not known it fail since he drove over to Wilkinson's one
afternoon, when he had been loading prairie hay since early morning and
had forgotten his lunch. He reached the homestead scarcely able to sit
upright on the driving seat, and a man asked him what was the matter.
When Charnock told him he sent Wilkinson for whisky.

"I know all about it; the blamed thing grips me now and then if I work
too hard and cut out a meal," he said. "I'll fix you up for the rest of
the day, but won't answer for your feeling pert to-morrow."

As a matter of fact, Charnock had felt worse, but obtained relief
by increasing the dose. Indeed, he had once or twice done so with
unfortunate consequences; but after Sadie bought the farm and saw he led
a regular life the pain had gone and had not returned until he went to
work on the track. Now he was not going to give in, but did not want to
talk, and was glad that Festing was occupied with some calculations and
left him alone.

Next morning he felt better and had two days' ease, after which the pain
wrung him for the rest of the week. Somehow he stuck to his work, and
his comrades, who were rudely sympathetic, helped him to elude the
foreman's watchfulness. It was obvious that he could not keep it up,
but the trouble often ended suddenly. Then an evening came when he could
scarcely drag himself to the bunk-house for supper. It had rained all
day and the building was overheated by a glow