in front. He did not mean to let go, although
he might be crushed between the horse's shoulder and the tree, and drew
as close as possible to the animal. Something brushed his coat, he felt
a button torn off, but the tree was passed. He knew where he was now,
and thrusting hard against the horse urged the animal towards the other
side of the road. The log ran into soft snow and slowed; there was more
room here and the steepest pitch was behind. A few minutes later, he
reached the top of the skids and sat down on the log, breathing fast and
feeling badly shaken.

He frowned as he thought there was no physical reason he should feel
shaken. He was used to strenuous effort, and danger could not be avoided
when one engaged in construction work. It was mental strain that was
wearing him out; the constant endeavor to finish a task in less than
the necessary time. Want of money was, however, the main cause of his
difficulties, and when he had got his cheque it would be possible to
take things easier. Comforting himself with this reflection, he got up
and led the horses down-hill.

The clang of hammers and rattle of shovels rose from the gorge, sharply
distinct at times, but melting when the throb of the river swelled and
a gust roared among the trees. A dark skeleton of steel that stood out
against pulsating flame, with blurred reflections below, marked
the central pier of the bridge; the line of track was picked out by
twinkling fires. Then the scream of a whistle pierced the sound and the
lights went out. The men were going back to the bunk-house and Festing
envied them. Their work was finished for the day and they could rest,
free from care, until the whistle roused them to begin again. Many were,
no doubt, tired, but that was man's common lot, and muscular fatigue
in moderation was no hardship. The strain came when one had to make
the dollars go round and see that every effort paid its cost. Among the
mountains, the cost was high.

Charnock joined him when he was grooming the horses in the rude stable,
because the teams must be cared for before the men thought of food.
Supper was ready when they went in, and when they had eaten they sat by
the hearth, drying their damp clothes and enjoying the warmth. They had
scarcely spoken to one another during the day; as a rule, it was only
after supper one could indulge in talk.

Presently Charnock took his pipe from his mouth. "It's luxuriously warm,
but one can't expect the Chin