't run the gravel train across the spot. As the back track is nearly
ballasted up, I don't know how I'm going to use the locomotive and
cars."

"The frost is stopping us," said Festing. "It is not our fault."

"That's so, but my chiefs at headquarters don't want to know whose fault
it is. Their method, as you ought to know, is statistical--we're given
a number of men and tools, and the value of the work done must equal the
expense. It's the only standard for judging an engineer. His business
is to overcome the difficulties, and if he's unable he's obviously of no
use."

Charnock grinned. "Employers' logic! Piffle of that kind only goes when
there are more engineers than jobs. I imagine there'll be a change some
day."

"I'm sorry Dalton's gone back," Kerr resumed. "He's a friend of yours,
and would have seen what we're all up against. But there's another
thing; the boys are beginning to kick. We have had to lay off the
ballast gang for a day now and then, and they claim they're not getting
a square deal. One fellow told me we oughtn't to have given the contract
to a man without capital to carry him over a set-back. He said if you'd
had money you could have hired extra labor and kept to schedule, and in
the end it wouldn't have cost you more."

"The argument is sound," Festing agreed. "In fact, it shows more
understanding than I'd expect the boys to use."

Kerr looked hard at him. "I suspect that somebody is stirring them up.
You see, they haven't demanded more wages yet; they only claim that I
ought to hustle you."

"The fellow's object isn't very plain, but I've no doubt the demand for
bigger pay will come. Well, we can't hire more help, and if there's no
change soon, the frost will break us without your bothering. We'll do
our best until then."

"We'll leave it at that," said Kerr, with a sympathetic nod; and when he
went away Charnock turned to Festing.

"Wilkinson's the man, and as the boys have a real grievance he'll find
them easy to work on. That means I've got to write to Sadie."

"No," said Festing. "If you write, I stop. Your wife has sent you money
enough, and I'm afraid some of it is lost. We must trust to luck, and in
the meantime we'll fire the shot."

He blew a whistle and then striking a match lighted the fuse and hurried
away. A minute or two later, lumps of frozen gravel flew about the track
and showers of smaller fragments scattered the snow. As Festing came out
of his shelter a man with