d that
dirty money away, I did. It burned me like no money I ever filched did;
it burned me inside and out and I slung it inter the river. I meant ter
do ye a measly trick, ye folks, and I did, but I wants ye ter know
partic'lar that Chet Ainsworth and that gang of his'n didn't git no
information outer me. That's more'n I ever done for anybody afore. Ye've
treated me white, ye have, Boss," he said, looking at Tom, "and
I've--I've--" Spike gulped and swallowed hard. "I've opined ter do ye
dirt."

Spike struggled for more words, and then, to the amazement of his
fellows, sank into his seat with tears rolling down his cheeks.

A jack laughed. Hippy fixed him with a stern look. Tom Gray rose
gravely.

"Don't laugh, fellows," he admonished. "You have seen one of your own
bare his soul, if you can understand what that means. It takes a brave
man to do that, boys, a man of wonderful courage. I wonder how many of
you would have the courage to do the same. I'll have more to say on the
subject of Spike in a moment. First, I want to thank you for your
loyalty to us. We could not have won out if you hadn't been loyal. We
are going to make money, as I have told you before, and you boys who
have helped to make it are going to get your share."

"Give 'em a little rough stuff. They'll understand that better than they
do this soul business," suggested Hippy, and the jacks grinned.

"As for Spike, he forgot to carry out his threat to resign--" resumed
Tom.

"I quit, and I--" interrupted Spike, flushing hotly.

"Sit down!" commanded Hippy, forcing him back into his seat, from which
Spike had started to rise.

"Mr. Wingate and I have had several talks about affairs here," resumed
Tom. "Among other things, we have decided that we have need of a
foreman, a foreman who can get out the work with the new men--you
fellows do not need a foreman--and carry out our orders in other
directions. Before coming here for this little party, we had already
decided on a man for the job of foreman, and I, for one, am glad we
picked the man we did, but I want you boys to approve of our
appointment. What you say _goes_. Stand up!" commanded Tom Gray sternly,
fixing his gaze on the red-headed jack, who, from sheer force of habit,
obeyed that tone instantly.

"There's the man I've picked," announced Tom, pointing to Spike.

A dead silence greeted the announcement, a silence broken only by the
heavy breathing of the lumberjacks, and the shrill voice