look at Pete's arms! He could lift a house."

Some of the men were laughing, others growling, but all had their eyes
fixed on Peterson and Donnelly as they came across the tracks, slowly
picking their way, and shifting the weight a little, at every few seconds,
on their shoulders. Bannon was glancing swiftly about, taking in the
situation. He would not imperil his discipline by reproving Peterson
before the men, so he stood for a moment, thinking, until the task should
be accomplished.

"It's Briggs that did the whole business," Max was saying. "He brought the
delegate around--he was blowing about it among the men when I found him."

"Is he on the job now?" Bannon asked.

"No, and I don't think he'll be around again very soon. There were some
loafers with him, and they took him away."

Peterson and Donnelly had disappeared through the fence, and a few of the
crowd were following, to see them get the timber clear around the building
to the pile.

"Have you sent out flagmen, Max?" Bannon asked.

"No, I didn't."

"Get at it quick--send a man each way with a lantern--put something red
over them, their shirts if necessary."

"None of the men will dare do it while the delegate's here."