lled, and enough coal was at the dumps and in cars at the
foot of the mountain to fill the orders which came in month by month. So
far as The Kettle Creek Mining Company and its patrons were concerned, the
mines could shut down until spring; as to the miners, they knew that they
had neither money nor food to supply them for a month.

He tried to reason with them; but the Hungarians and Polack miners know no
reason. Mr. Hobart's present method of talking with them, to their way of
thinking, betokened not sound common sense and judgment, but fear.

They blustered and threatened and defied. At this, Mr. Hobart arose,
declaring that they might take what course they would, he could _not_
return Ketchomunoski to work. The delegation, expressing their anger in
strong words, departed. Mr. Hobart immediately sent word to Ratowsky,
Ellis and half a dozen other men whom he knew would stand by him. Together
they talked over the situation, cleaned their firearms, and then sent
Ratowsky, by moonlight, down the mountain to purchase and bring back a
supply of ammunition.

By the following evening the strike at Bitumen was on.

CHAPTER XI.

THE PROUD, HUMBLED.

After the midwinter holidays, the question of conducting examinations came
up. Dr. Kitchell had decided that, in view of Miss Hobart's refusing to
take the examination, she could not enter his classes again until she had
explained matters to Dr. Morgan and secured permission from her. Elizabeth
dreaded talking matters over with Dr. Morgan no more than with her father.
Upon her return to Exeter, she immediately visited the president's office,
and explained why she had refused to take the examination. Dr. Morgan was
in a lenient frame of mind. She not only forgave Elizabeth her hasty act,
but took time to explain to her that this was a custom old as examinations
themselves, and a necessity. The explanation satisfied Elizabeth's wounded
feelings but did not alter her view of the method. She told Dr. Morgan of
the conference the girls had held in her room the night before the
holidays and of the plan they had formed which, with the permission of the
principal, they meant to carry out.

Dr. Morgan listened to the plan as Elizabeth gave it in detail, then
replied: "This much can be said of the plan, Miss Hobart. If it proves a
success, it will be a benefit to the students and the school. If it fails,
we are just where we were before--nothing gained or lost. You may try it