the shack and sat, dejected and
aching, looking at the food on the table. Although he had eaten little
all day, it cost him something of an effort to begin his meal.

An hour afterward he heard steps and voices outside and opened the door.
The light shone out from behind him and he saw a group of dark figures
in the snow.

"Well, boys," he asked, "what do you want?"

"We want to know when you're going to fix the track," one replied.

"That's easily answered. We mean to put it right as soon as we can."

"Not good enough!" remarked another. "We've got to know when."

"Then I'm sorry I can't tell you. It depends on the weather."

Some of them growled, and Festing felt Charnock's hand close warningly
on his arm.

"Won't you come into the light, boys?" the latter asked. "I'd like to
know to whom I'm talking."

They did not move, and Charnock resumed: "Have you brought your foreman
or Wilkinson?"

Somebody said neither had come, and Charnock nodded.

"Well, I reckon they know what's best for them! Wilkinson doesn't like
me, but he's not looking for more trouble; I imagine he's had enough.
Then the foreman's not a friend of mine, but he has a better job than
yours and means to hold it down. If you get up against the bosses, he's
not going to be fired."

There was silence, and he saw his remarks had not been wasted. He had
hinted that the men were being used and given them ground to distrust
their leaders.

"I half expected another fellow, a friend of Wilkinson's, who claimed he
had been hit by a stone. Has he come along?"

"Said he was too sore and would have to lay off to-morrow," one replied.
"That's another thing. When you shoot off your blasts you have got to
watch out that nobody gets hurt."

"Sure," agreed Charnock. "We did watch out and blew the whistle; but we
want to do the square thing. If Pearson got hurt and can't work, let him
show you the bruise. We'll stand for his pay until you think he's fit to
begin again."

"That's fair," admitted the other with a laugh. "He wasn't showing the
bruise much. Say, you're pretty smart!"

"I hope so," said Charnock, modestly. "Looks as if I needed all the
smartness I've got. We're up against the weather and a big awkward job,
and then you come along and worry us! However, what are you going to do
about it if we can't put the rails down as soon as you want?"

"We'll make the bosses break your contract."

Charnock pondered, keeping his hand on Festing's arm,