blew a
blast, and winds and sea awoke.

By nine o'clock a gale was blowing. By ten Babcock's men were bracing
the outer sheathing of the coffer-dam, strengthening the derrick-guys,
tightening the anchor-lines, and clearing the working-platforms of sand,
cement, and other damageable property. The course-masonry, fortunately,
was above the water-line, but the coping was still unset and the rubble
backing of much of the wall unfinished. Two weeks of constant work
were necessary before that part of the structure contained in the first
section of the contract would be entirely safe for the coming winter.
Babcock doubled his gangs, and utilized every hour of low water to the
utmost, even when the men stood waist-deep. It was his only hope for
completing the first section that season. After that would come the
cold, freezing the mortar, and ending everything.

Tom Grogan performed wonders. Not only did she work her teams far into
the night, but during all this bad weather she stood throughout the day
on the unprotected dock, a man's sou'wester covering her head, a rubber
waterproof reaching to her feet. She directed every boat-load herself,
and rushed the materials to the shovelers, who stood soaking wet in the
driving rain.

Lathers avoided her; so did McGaw. Everybody else watched her in
admiration. Even the commandant, a bluff, gray-bearded naval officer,--a
hero of Hampton Roads and Memphis,--passed her on his morning inspection
with a kindly look in his face and an aside to Babcock: "Hire some more
like her. She is worth a dozen men."

Not until the final cargo required for the completion of the wall had
been dumped on the platforms did she relax her vigilance. Then she shook
the water from her oilskins and started for home. During all these hours
of constant strain there was no outbreak of bravado, no spell of ill
humor. She made no boasts or promises. With a certain buoyant pluck
she stood by the derricks day after day, firing volleys of criticism
or encouragement, as best suited the exigencies of the moment, now she
sprang forward to catch a sagging bucket, now tended a guy to relieve a
man, or handled the teams herself when the line of carts was blocked or
stalled.

Every hour she worked increased Babcock's confidence and admiration. He
began to feel a certain pride in her, and to a certain extent to
rely upon her. Such capacity, endurance, and loyalty were new in his
experience. If she owed him anything for he