had fallen and think matters over.

"Don't think I'm peevish, men," Tom called pleasantly. "I wouldn't have
done that if Bellas hadn't attacked me. I had to defend myself. Now,
while I'm here, does any man wish to make a claim for justice? Does
any man feel that he has been discharged unfairly?"

Three or four men answered, though none of the Mexicans was among the
number. When questioned as to whether they had spent the night among
Jim Duff's friends all the speakers admitted that they had. Tom then
made them the same explanation he had offered Bellas.

"That's about all that can be said, isn't it, men?" Tom asked in
conclusion. "I am sorry for those of you who feel hurt, but while there
is bad blood in the air every man must choose between one camp or the
other. You men chose Jim Duff, and you'll have to abide by your choice."

"But we haven't any money," declared one of the men sullenly.

"Now you're just beginning to understand that Jim Duff won't be a very
good friend to a penniless man. Didn't you know that when you shook all
your change into his hat?"

"Are you going to let us starve?" growled the man.

"You won't starve, nor need you be out of work long," Tom retorted. "Any
man who can do the work of a railway laborer in this country doesn't
have to remain out of a job. Now, I'll ask you to get off the
railroad's ground."