The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 28: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

498 “Now, Mr. King,” said he, “ just what is the situation here? I found the Chinaman camping out at a water- hole between here and town. He told me a little, but only enough to make me anxious for more.” Bremerton sat down in front of the roll-top desk, took pipe and tobacco from his pockets, and prepared for a smoke. King drew up a chair, sank into: it, and composed his agitated nerves. There was something about the new. superintendent that inspired confidence. Courage and determination are quali- ties which never fail to command the wholesome respect of enemies and the trust of friends. As the weaker ves- sel, King deferred humbly to Bremer- ton, glad that Deane had secured such a man to captain the dubious fortunes of the mine. A strong face shone lividly in the light of the match Bremerton trailed over the pipe-bowl. Bruised, discol- ored, ‘and with here and there a black patch, along with its grimness, the face contrived to reflect an amiable as well as a dauntless spirit. Little Mortimer King warmed to the man and did not hesitate to confess his own failings. “IT was a pretty poor stick for Lacey to leave in charge, Bremerton,” said he. “T have no sense or sand in dealing with the near-desperadoes on _ this mine’s pay-roll. The men knew it, and Lacey was hardly carried over the hill before they began to take advantage.” “Don’t bear down on _ yourself, King,” returned Bremerton. “ Some- times the difficulties that are one man’s meat are another man’s poison. A few in this world are equipped for one thing, and a few for some other thing. The Master Potter fashions the clay from designs and patterns of His own. It is not our business to go behind the returns and try to puzzle out the rea- son. Go on and tell me about the sit- uation here.” King was surprised to find Bremer- ton as forceful in thought as well as in action. He did not know of the THE ARGOSY. lonely years Bremerton had spent in the wilds, communing with himself as he trod the unblazed trails, or guessing at the heart of things as he lay on a blanket looking up at the stars. The cyanid expert began at the be- ginning. He told of the strike among the miners, and how the failure of the ore supply had paralyzed all the other activities of the camp. As an idle man is always ripe for trouble, King’s report led up logically to the whisky-drinking and the cutting loose of Big Steve. Bremerton listened quietly and, when King paused, re- marked: “It’s a wonder you didn’t cut and run.” “But I was left in charge!” ex- claimed the expert. “It was my busi- ness to stay here, no matter what happened.” A quizzical light filled Bremerton’s gray eyes, yet he nodded soberly. “T see, there is nothing more to be said. When did you have your last clean-up at the mill?” “Just after the miners quit work. The millmen hung on for a while, and I kept them busy scraping the plates.”’ “How did the clean-up pan out?” “Slim. It’s always slim and not what it ought to be. That’s what bothered Lacey and—and poor old Griggsby. We mill ten tons of rock, working both shifts. The ore-feeder throws out every tenth’ shovelful as the ore goes into the hoppers. I quarter the samples down and get a value of twelve dollars and some odd cents to the ton—’ “No bonanza rock about that,” cut in Bremerton. “ There’s been no bonanza _ rock milled since Deane took over the property. If it’s here we haven’t been able to find it. The tailings, coming from the plates, assay something over two dollars to the ton. “ The difference of about ten dollars a ton, or a hundred dollars for a When a man does his best’ COMicdoo S CO@