carefully placed at one side.

"We'll have it all up all right before morning," he said.

The man was running his fingers up under his cap.

"I don't know anything about that," he replied sullenly. "I've got my
orders. We didn't make any kick when you opened up in one place, but we
can't stand for all this."

He was not speaking firmly, and Bannon, watching him closely, jumped at
the conclusion that his orders were not very definite. Probably his
superintendent had instructed him to keep a close eye on the work, and
perhaps to grant no privileges. Bannon wished he knew more about the
understanding between the railroad and MacBride & Company. He felt sure,
however, that an understanding did exist or he would not have been told to
go ahead.

"That's all right," he said, with an air of easy authority. "We've got to
be working over your tracks for the next two months. It's as much to our
interest as it is to yours to be careful, and I guess we can pull
together. We've got an agreement with your general manager, and that's
what goes." He turned away, but paused and added, "I'll see that you don't
have any reason to complain."

The section boss looked about with an uncertain air at the crowd of
waiting men.

"Don't go too fast there--" he began.