"You see, these fellows don't
know much. They aren't like skilled laborers who need some sense in
their business. They're just common roustabouts, and most of 'em have
gunpowder in place of brains. They don't want facts or reason either;
what they like is Grady's oratory. They think that's the finest thing
they ever heard. They might all be perfectly satisfied and anxious to
work, but if Grady was to sing out to know if they wanted to be slaves,
they'd all strike like a freight train rolling down grade.

"No," he went on, "there's nothing to be done with the men. Do you know
what would happen if I was to go up to their lodge and tell right out
that Grady was a blackmailer? Why, after they'd got through with me,
personally, they'd pass a resolution vindicating Grady. They'd resolve
that I was a thief and a liar and a murderer and an oppressor of the
poor and a traitor, and if they could think of anything more than that,
they'd put it in, too. And after vindicating Grady to their
satisfaction, they'd take his word for law and the gospel more than
ever. In this sort of a scrape you want to hit as high as you can,
strike the biggest man who will let you in his office. It's the small
fry that make the trouble. I guess that's true 'most everywhere. I know
the general manager of a railroad is always an easier chap to get on
with than the division superintendent."

"Well," said Pete, after waiting a moment to see if Bannon had any
definite suggestion to make as to the best way to deal with Grady, "I'm
glad you don't think he'll try to tie us up to-night. Maybe we'll think
of something to-morrow. I've got to get back on the job."

"I'll go up with you," said Max, promptly. Then, in answer to Hilda's
gesture of protest, "You don't want to climb away up there to-night.
I'll be back in ten minutes," and he was gone before she could reply. "I
guess I can take care of you till he comes back," said Bannon. Hilda
made no answer. She seemed to think that silence would conceal her
annoyance better than anything she could say. So, after waiting a
moment, Bannon went on talking.

"I suppose that's the reason why I get ugly sometimes and call names;
because I ain't a big enough man not to. If I was getting twenty-five
thousand a year maybe I'd be as smooth as anybody. I'd like to be a
general manager for a while, just to see how it would work."

"I don't see how anybody could ever know enough to run a railroad."
Hilda was looking up a