How long could a man expect to stand on the steps of a company building, with a super and a pit-boss at his back, and organise a union of mine-workers? Hal realised that he must move the crowd from that perilous place. “You'll do what I say, now?” he demanded; and when they agreed in chorus, he added the warning: “There'll be no fighting! And no drinking! If you see any man drunk to-night, sit on him and hold him down!”
They laughed and cheered. Yes, they would keep straight. Here was a job for sober men, you bet!
“And now,” Hal continued, “the people in the hospital. We'll have a committee go in and see about them. No noise—we don't want to disturb the sick men. We only want to make sure nobody else is disturbing them. Some one will go in and stay with them. Does that suit you?”
Yes, that suited them.
“All right,” said Hal. “Keep quiet for a moment.”
And he turned to the superintendent. “Cartwright,” said he, “we want a committee to go in and stay with our people.” Then, as the superintendent started to expostulate, he added, in a low voice, “Don't be a fool, man! Don't you see I'm trying to save your life?”
The superintendent knew how bad it would be for discipline to let Hal carry his point with the crowd; but also he saw the immediate danger—and he was not sure of the courage and shooting ability of book-keepers and stenographers.
“Be quick, man!” exclaimed Hal. “I can't hold these people long. If you don't want hell breaking loose, come to your senses.”
“All right,” said Cartwright, swallowing his dignity.
And Hal turned to the men and announced the concession. There was a shout of triumph.
“Now, who's to go?” said Hal, when he could be heard again; and he looked about at the upturned faces. There Were Tim and Wauchop............