y scanning the
track for signs of an obstruction. On the steps between the cars a few
passengers were trying to get a view up the track; and others were
running along beside the train.

"This has gone too far," Bannon muttered. He turned and shouted to the
men: "Clear up that track. Quick, now!"

Some of the men started, but stopped, and all looked at the delegate. He
stepped to one side and coolly looked over the train; then he raised his
hand.

"Don't touch the timbers," he said. "It ain't a mail train."

His voice was not loud, but those near at hand passed the word along,
and the long line of men stood motionless. By that time the train had
stopped, and three of the crew had come forward. They saw the timbers on
the track and hurried toward them, but the delegate called out:--

"Watch those sticks, boys! Don't let a man touch them!"

There was no hesitation when the delegate spoke in that tone. A score of
men blocked the way of the train crew.

Bannon was angry. He stood looking at Grady with snapping eyes, and his
hands closed into knotted fists. But Bannon knew the power of the
unions, and he knew that a rash step now might destroy all hope of
completing the elevator in time. He crossed over to the delegate.

"What do you want?" he said gruffly.

"Nothing from you."

"What do you want?" Bannon repeated, and there was something in his
voice that caused the delegate to check a second retort.

"You'll kill these men if you work them like this. They've been on the
job all day."

Bannon was beginning to see that Grady was more eager to make trouble
than to uphold the cause of the men he was supposed to represent. In his
experience with walking delegates he had not met this type before. He
was proud of the fact that he had never had any serious trouble in
dealing with his workmen or their representatives. Mr. MacBride was fond
of saying that Bannon's tact in handling men was unequalled; but Bannon
himself did not think of it in this way--to him, trouble with the
laborers or the carpenters or the millwrights meant loss of time and
loss of money, the two things he was putting in his time to avoid; and
until now he had found the maligned walking delegate a fair man when he
was fairly dealt with. So he said:--

"Well, what are you asking?"

"These gangs ought to be relieved every two hours."

"I'll do it. Now clear up those timbers."

The delegate turned with a scowl, and waved the men back to their work