The Argosy, Vol. 76, No. 3 — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

GOLD GRABBERS. the floor beside his chair, got to his feet, and proceeded calmly through the door, Filled with dire forebodings, the little cyanid expert arose and fol- lowed. CHAPTER VIII. CHOMBO OF THE KNIFE, BREMERTON realized very well that his first real fight was just ahead of him. Every man at table had passed under his keen scrutiny and been men- tally tagged. So artfully was it done that the men themselves did not know, it, nor even King. Here was a tool, there a sneaking fomenter of discontent, yonder a weak character who ran with the biggest pack. Two had the courage to be openly defiant, and but one of this pair was marked for a leader. So Bremerton registered that table- ful of workers. On the swiftness and sureness of his judgment he based his plans for dealing with the strikers. The men had formed themselves in- to a compact group a few yards from the door of the chuck-shanty. Their number had been increased by the ar- rival of Mexican miners from the jacals, and quite a formidable’ gather- ing awaited the new superintendent. It had been the privilege of all these miners to see Deane’s latest recruit in action. ‘They had been afforded a test of his mettle, and a wholesome regard for his powers had been engendered in their minds. But there was a difference between Big Steve Bryden, charged with devil- try and aimlessly demoralizing the camp, and a crowd of underground workers who presented a solid front of Opposition and were swayed by a com- mon cause. There was eaunase in numbers, and the miners were eager to see how Bremerton would meet this second test. If he weakened, they would walk rough-shod over his feeble authority. Bremerton had halted just outside 503 the chuck-shanty door to fill and light his pipe. It looked like an attempt at bravado, a bluff at hiding an attack of nerves, and some of the strikers laughed jeeringly. - “King,” said Bremerton, “ who ‘is the man with the rings in his ears?” “That is Chombo Gonzales,” was the murmured response, “ half Amer- ican and half Mexican. He’s a fore- man among the diggers, Bremerton, and a bad man to get stirred up.” “And who’s the one with the scar on his right cheek? ” “Collins, ‘Red’ Collins, another foreman. Red is on the day shift and Chombo looks after the night men.” Bremerton was positive that Chom- bo'and Red were the two keys to that little difficulty. If the two foremen were properly taken care of the trouble in the underground workings would quickly adjust itself. The superinterid- ent moved out toward the men. ‘““What’s the reason your men are not getting out the ore, Collins?” he asked. The red - headed foreman felt flat- tered at being singled out in this way by Bremerton. It gave him an im- portance which Chombo resented with an ugly flash of the eyes. “The boys think they ain’t paid enough,” said Collins. “ Three dollars a day for ten hours is what they get, and they demand four.” ‘Because we want it, that’s why!” put in Chombo, jumping clear of the ranks and making it plain that he was to be considered in the discussion. Bremerton turned on the half-blood and eyed him calmly. “T’m talking with Collins,” he re- marked. “When I’m ready to talk with you you'll have a chance to re- lieve your mind.” “You can’t muzzle me!” cried Chombo. “Til say what I please and when I please.”’ Bremerton peered at him ominously for a moment, then swerved his gaze back to Collins. COMicdoo S CO@