“We have got it.  How we mean to carry it out is our business, not yours.”

“Then it’s certainly our business if we work or not,” the other rejoined.  “As the bosses will find out if they reckon we’re going to lose our time to help you save your dollars!”

He went away grumbling, and Charnock looked at Festing.

“Was that bluff?  Do you think he means it?”

“I don’t know.  They haven’t lost much time through our fault, but the frost has interfered with other jobs, and I expect there’ll be trouble if it lasts.  I’m puzzled, because they’re not a bad-tempered lot, and I understand that Wilkinson is not a favorite.  Your throwing him down the bank wouldn’t strengthen his influence.”

“It’s easy to work on men’s feelings when they’re discontented,” Charnock replied.  “The worst is that Kerr can’t stand by us if the gang put down their tools.  Labor’s scarce in the mountains, and he’ll be forced to do what they want.”

Festing gloomily agreed.  “I’m afraid so.  However, we must do the best we can in the time we have left.”

They worked by a blast-lamp until late at night and began again before daybreak in the morning.  The weakened frame had been replaced, but others needed strengthening and the rockwork must be built up among the timbers.  The stones required careful fitting, and it was impossible to dress them to rough shape.  The frozen surface resisted the tool and they broke if much force was used.  Fires were made, but the rock thawed irregularly and much time was lost.

Festing’s bruised hand gave him trouble, his mittens wore to rags, and his numbed fingers cracked and bled, but he worked savagely until evening.  Then he walked stiffly to the shack and sat, dejected and aching, looking at the food on the table.  Although he had eaten little all day, it cost him something of an effort to begin his meal.

An hour afterward he heard steps and voices outside and opened the door.  The light shone out from behind him and he saw a group of dark figures in the snow.

“Well, boys,” he asked, “what do you want?”

“We want to know when you’re going to fix the track,” one replied.

“That’s easily answered.  We mean to put it right as soon as we can.”

“Not good enough!” remarked another.  “We’ve got to know when.”

“Then I’m sorry I can’t tell you.  It depends on the weather.”

Some of them growled, and Festing felt Charnock’s hand close warningly on his arm.

“Won’t you come into the light, boys?” the latter asked.  “I’d like to know to whom I’m talking.”

They did not move, and Charnock resumed:  “Have you brought your foreman or Wilkinson?”

Somebody said neither had come, and Charnock nodded.

“Well, I reckon they know what’s best for them!  Wilkinson doesn’t like me, but he’s not looking for more trouble; I imagine he’s had enough.  Then the foreman’s not a friend of mine, but he has a better job than yours and means to hold it down.  If you get up against the bosses, he’s not going to be fired.”