rs. If a man hasna'
peace in his mind it'll mak' him nasty, an' we canna' allow sic a thing
as a nasty polisman in this district!"

"That's richt, Tam," said one of the younger men. "It would be a shame
to see a woman an' twa-three weans sittin' withoot a fire an' a great
big bing o' coal lyin' doon there at the pit. We maun try an' keep the
polisman comfortable."

That night the policeman without in any way trying to conceal his
purpose walked down through the village and across the strip of moor and
took up his position at the end of Hairyfithill's potato field. At once
a group of young men led by Tam Donaldson set off with bags under their
arms after it was dark for the pit at the other end of the village and
were soon engaged in carrying coal as if their lives depended on it.

"Noo, lads, the first bag gangs to the polisman, mind," said Tam,
shouldering his load and walking off.

"A' richt, Tam. If we a' gang wi' the first bag to him that'll be nine
bags, then we can get two or three bags for hame. Dinna hurry; we ha'e
a' nicht to carry, an' we can get in a fine lot afore daylicht breaks."

"That's richt," said Tam, "but mind an' no' tire yersels too much, for
ye've a nicht at the tatties the morn. The polis'll be at the bing the
morn's nicht efter this carry-on, an' when he is busy watchin' for coal
thieves, we maun see that we get in a denner or twa o' tatties. I heard
him sayin' he could not be everywhere at yince, an' couldna' both watch
coal thieves an' tattie stealin' at yin an' the same time."

* * * * *

All this time matters went very smoothly. The men were very firm, having
great trust in Smillie. After about six weeks, however, from various
causes a suspicious atmosphere began to be created. Hints had been
appearing from time to time in the newspapers that matters were not
altogether as the miners thought they were. Then vague rumors got afloat
in many districts and spread with great rapidity, and these began to
undermine the confidence of the strikers.

"What think ye o' the fecht noo, Tam?" enquired Matthew Maitland one
night as they sat among the others at the "Lazy Corner," as the village
forum was called.

"I dinna ken what to think o' it," replied Tam glumly. "Do ye think
there's any truth in that story aboot Smillie havin' sell't us?"

"It wad be hard to ken," replied Matthew Maitland, taking his pipe out
of his mouth and spitting savagely upon the ground.