checker's hut at a distance, but keen-eyed Superintendent Hawkins saw
them and ordered them around to the hut.

"You'll have to wait here until your foremen are called," declared the
checker.

"Say, what's the trouble here!" demanded one American belligerently.




CHAPTER VIII

READE MEETS A "KICKER" HALF WAY


"Who's your foreman?" asked the checker, a young fellow named Royal

"Payson--if it's any of your business." replied the workman roughly.

The others, seeing him take this attitude, were willing to let him talk
for all. Superintendent Hawkins had rounded up the foremen, and now
sent them to the checker's hut to deal with the men.

"Some of you are my men," said Payson, looking the lot over. "You're
discharged."

"What's that?" roared the same indignant spokesman, a big, bull-necked,
red-faced fellow.