"Yes, and also for not being on hand this morning."

"There wasn't any work to do," growled Bellas.

"You expected to be paid for your time, and you should have been in
camp, as your time belonged to the railroad by, right of purchase.
Bellas, you have been drinking over in town, haven't you?"

"If I have, it's my own business. I'm no slave."

"Ben gambling, too?"

"None of your--"

"You're in error," Tom answered pleasantly, though firmly. "The
gamblers over in Paloma are leagued with the dive keepers against us,
Bellas. You know what they did out at the big sink of the Man-killer
last night. Any man who goes away from camp and 'enjoys' himself for
hours among those who are trying to put us out of business shows himself
to be a friend to the enemies of this camp. Therefore the man who does
that shows himself to be one of our enemies, in sympathy if not in
fact."

"I'm no lawyer," growled Bellas sullenly, "and I can't follow your flow
of gab."

"You know well enough what I'm saying to you, Bellas, and you know that
I'm right. Since you've been away and joined our enemies we don't want
you here. More, we don't intend to have you here. Mr. Payson has
dropped you from the rolls, and that cuts you off from this camp. Now,