of provocation. He threatened
to cut off food supplies if the leaders continued in their refusal to
confer.

Two weeks elapsed before his threat reacted. Two weeks of continued
silence and apparent inaction by the strike leaders. The men's first
terror at the loss of heat and power seemed to have passed. As Bull had
suggested they had resorted to the methods of the trail, and day and
night mighty beacon fires burned along the fore-shores of the cove upon
which their homes were built. The men and women came and went peaceably
but silently between the food stores and their homes, purchasing such
provisions as they needed. And the manner of it all, the cold silence,
should have served a warning of the iron hand in exercise behind the
strike.

The bombshell came at the end of the third week. It came in the form of
a message crouched in the flamboyant phraseology beloved of the
Communist fraternity. It was conveyed by a small youth some ten years of
age, as though its authors were fearful lest a full grown bearer should
be made to suffer for the temerity.

Bat had received it at the office, and his manner had been
characteristic.

"Fer me, laddie?" he had said, as he took possession of the
official-looking envelope. Then he gently patted the boy's shoulder.
"All right, sonny," he added. "You get right back to your folks. Pore
little bit."

With the boy's departure he had lost no time in reading the ultimatum
the message contained.

"A Soviet has been formed. The Workers will not submit to
inteference with the food supplies of the people such as has
been threatened by men who have no right over the life and death
of their fellows. In view of this threat, the Soviet of the
Workers has determined to possess itself of the mills and all
properties pertaining thereto. The whole territories and
properties hither controlled under a capitalist organisation
will in future be administered by the Soviet or the Workers. You
are required, therefore, to hand over forthwith all accountings,
administration, and all funds, all legal documentary titles such
as are held by you of freeholds and forestry rights relating to
Sachigo. Furthermore, it is required of you to restore intact
the machinery of the new power station, and to hand over the
whole premises in full running order. One week's grace will be
permitted for the execution of this order. Failing absolute
complianc