So far these men had not offered to take any part in the dispute. Now
Duff moved over to them quickly, muttering the words:

"Stand by me!"

As for Tom Reade, he was backed by five men, including his chum. Though
none of Reade's force was armed, the young engineer knew that he could
depend upon them.

Followed by his adherents, Duff took a few quick strides forward. This
brought him face to face with Reade's labors, of whom now more than two
hundred were present.

"Are you men or squaws?" called, Duff loudly. "I have brought the stuff
over here for a merry night of it. This boy says you can't have your
enjoyment. Are you going to let him rule you in that fashion, or are
you going to throw him out of here?"

There came from the crowd a gradually increasing murmur of rage.

"Throw this boy out, if you're men!" Duff jeered. "Throw him out, I
say, and send word to your railroad people to put a man here in his
place."

The murmurs increased, especially from the Mexicans, for the Mexican
peon, or laborer, is often a furious gambler who will stake even the
shirt on his back.

Foreman Mendoza, who understood his own people, started forward, but