ot know was less than what they imagined. In such an atmosphere
respect became reverence, irritation fury, fear panic, a sense of
injustice justification for any crime. Before the piercing gaze of
their leader their lips opened, their bloodshot eyes shifted, and
breath came uncertainly. It was a form of mesmerism.

And when at last he burst out in an impassioned jargon that did duty as
common language, they rose to him hysterically.

Truth to tell, he had called the meeting with no intention of spurring
to immediate action. So much hung on the final decision that was to
culminate their year's work that Koppy hesitated to give the order.
The meeting had been conceived as nothing more than a preliminary test
of their loyalty and determination; perhaps he might raise their ardour
to the point where it would be safe to let them know the scheme in
general. The details would reach them later through trusted
mouthpieces. But most of all he wanted to feel their hands on his.

But when, in the mellow light of the setting sun, he read their mad
recklessness he reacted to it. Carried from his feet, he spoke
fiercely; passionately, as one inspired. The passive, underground
resistance of the past few weeks swept swiftly in a few sentences to
open rebellion. Hesitation looked cowardly then, caution tawdry,
waiting an insult to their dignity.

Werner alone did not follow him. When five hundred fists thrust as
many weapons into the air and cried for action, Werner felt the urge of
action of his own. Slowly he slunk to the outskirts of the mob.

"This," he said to himself, "is where Hugo Werner takes to the tall
timbers. I don't hypnotise worth a cent. All Koppy's eagle eye does
to me is warn me I'm not bullet-proof. Me for the safe spots; they can
get as maudlin as they like. I got a hunch this is no place for Hugo
Werner."

Behind him the low murmur of excitement grew to hysteria. They
demanded to do something, to destroy and smash and rend. Another two
minutes and nothing could hold them back. To and fro swayed five
hundred hot bodies, back and forward shook five hundred threatening
hands.

Koppy knew that he was master of their very souls, that there before
him five hundred men awaited his direct orders without question.
Thrills tingled scalp. With fists uplifted he shrieked at them:

"Now, now is the time! We are five hundred; they are two. They are
ours. These oppressors, who have for years ground ou