e at me. I'm not afraid of you, Mr. Landover. You say you
are going to stay on this ship. Well, I've come here to tell you that
you are not going to do anything of the sort. The women and children are
to remain on board until we've got houses built for them on shore, or
until the time comes when there is work for them to do. If they choose
to come ashore occasionally it will be to watch the men work and to
cheer them up with their presence. But no man is to stay on this ship
after we've once got the real job going out there. Now you've heard my
statement, sir. I am willing to listen for a few minutes to your side of
the question. Don't all speak at once,--and please be careful, there are
ladies present."

While Percival did not take his eyes from Landover's face during this
speech, he was aware that Miss Clinton and her aunt had turned abruptly
away and were leaning against the rail a few yards distant, their backs
to him. Olga Obosky and Careni-Amori were regarding him with shining,
approving eyes, while Mrs. Block,--gulping furiously,--clasped her
husband's arm and kept up a constant muttering. Something told him that
Ruth Clinton and Mrs. Spofford had turned against him.

"I have nothing to say to you," said Landover, curtly. Turning on his
heel, he joined the two ladies at the rail. He spoke a few words to them
in a lowered tone, and then the three of them strode off without so much
as a glance at the young man.

Percival flushed a dull red under his tan. His eyes followed them until
they disappeared around a corner. Down in his heart he hoped that Ruth
would not deny him a fleeting look of encouragement and approval.

Landover carried himself like a soldier. He was tall, well set-up, and
almost offensively erect. He was a handsome man of perhaps forty-eight.
His cleanshaven face was firm, aggressive, domineering. There was not
a trace of grey in his dark hair. He typified strength, mentality,
shrewdness and that most essential quality in the standards of wealth
and power,--arrogance. In a word, he personified Finance.

"Now, see here, Percival," began Nicklestick, in a most cavalier manner,
greatly encouraged by the lofty conduct of the Money King, "you know you
can't do this sort of thing. We won't stand for it, not for a minute. We
object to this high-handed business. You got to realize that--"

"Object and be hanged!" snapped Percival. "The next thing, you'll
be calling yourselves conscientious objectors. W