began to pull down the
rockwork that faced the bank. The ragged stones cut their numbed hands,
their backs ached with lifting heavy weights, and they stumbled under
the loads they carried up the snowy incline. They had, however, help
enough, for Charnock went away for a time and came back with three or
four men from the construction gang. Festing noted that although he made
them useful, he did not give them the hardest work. He refrained from
asking how Charnock got the men, but was not surprised when the foreman
arrived and inquired in forcible language what they were doing there.

"Let me answer him," said Charnock. "I feel in the mood. It's my first
chance of letting myself go; as long as you're working for wages the
advantage is with the boss. Besides, I think I ought to do something for
the boys, who can't talk back."

Festing admitted that he talked very well. Charnock had a keen eye for
the ridiculous and a pretty wit, and was no longer handicapped by the
fear of being dismissed. While the foreman replied with coarse but
rather meaningless abuse, Charnock's retorts had a definite aim and
hit their mark. He indicated with humorous skill the defects in
his antagonist's looks and character, and Festing's gang laughed
uproariously, while the borrowed workmen applauded as loudly as they
durst. At length, the foreman, breathless and red in face, gave up the
unequal contest and returned to his first question.

"If you came for an argument, you've got it, and I can go on for some
time yet," Charnock replied. "However, if you really want to know why
the boys are helping me, you can ask Mr. Norton at the bridge."

The foreman retired, muttering, but not towards the bridge, and Festing
looked hard at Charnock.

"I was anxious for a moment," Charnock admitted. "But I didn't think
he'd go. For one thing, I knew he knows Norton doesn't like him."

"Then I'll leave you to deal with Norton if he hears about the matter.
Now you have had your amusement, we had better get on."

The short rest and laughter had refreshed the gang and they made good
progress. As the holes between the frames deepened, the work got harder
and the footing bad, because they were forced to stand on slippery
ledges while they passed the heavy stones from man to man. Charnock was
ready with jocular sympathy if one fell or a stone bruised somebody's
hand, and his jokes spurred on the weary. It got dark soon in the
hollow, but as the light faded the fla