The wageworker., 1910-01-01

dark, for not a glimmer of light was
there in that strange chamber.
1t was "The Bull" whom Eddy dis
covered repeating. Something, an in
tuition, told him that the fellow was
doing this, and when he found him
out he attended to him promptly.
"Who is this?" demanded Eddy, as
the man whom he took for 'The Bull"
held out hand for his rations. 'The
Bull" mumbled the name of the sick
Pole, who Eddy knew was lying on
the ground by the well unable to move
across the cave.
you're liar." shouted Eddy. you
are The Bull" He tried to catch
the man by his arm, but he pulled
away. Eddy, however, reached for
him and caught him by the shoulder.
Then, in the dark, his fist struck out
and the other men could hear it land
on "The Bulls" jaw. There would
have been more of conf1ict-Eddy ex-
pected it-but somebody pulled "The
Bull" away, and for the time being
peace again reigned.
The third day came. They knew it
was the third day because Waite had
a watch, from which he removed the
crystal, picking out the time by feel
ing the hands with his rough fingers.
Some of the men took no thought of
the flight of the hours, however, and
spent their time crying for the loved
ones up on the earth, whom they had
given up all hope of seeing again.
They were getting light-headed, the
poor fellows, all of them, and it was
huge task for Eddy. himself sick now,
to keep their spirits up.
Waite and Antoniese were the only
two who gave him any real assistance.
Waite, by his sturdy good nature. "jol-
lied" the other men, and Antoniese
rendered splendid service in caring
for the men who were the sickest. He
argued with the well men that they
must give up some of their share of
the water to these sick unfortunates,
and though they did not all accept the
suggestion gracefully he let them un-
derstand that he would stand no fool
ing on their part. and backed it up
with long knife which they knew
that he carried.
On the third day, however. An
toniese made discovery. It was that
"The Bull' was stealing water from
old Walowczak. He caught him at it
himself, and his first impulse was to
thrust that long knife between the
ribs of the thief, but he resisted that
impulse and crept across the cave to
Eddy, to whom he told of his discoy-
cry. Eddy said:
1--WE must make sure. We must
watch. Say nothing. but keep as near
Wolawczak as you can and if The
Bull goes near him grab him and
holler for me-"
Conflict in the Dark.
A little while later it happened. An
toniese let out yell, and Eddy, call
ing Waite to follow him, leaped to his
assistance. He had "The Bull" and
they were engaged in deadly strug-
gle. The other men were screaming
and shrieking to know what the mat
ter was. In their unnatural condition
of mind this conflict drove them fairly
crazy, and they turned on each other
and fought savagely for no reason but
enemy. When Eddy dragged himself
through the struggling masses they
| caught at him and pulled him to the
ground. He had to fight back, and
felled with his fist half dozen poor
! fellows who would have kept him
from getting to "The Bull"
In fact, when he reached the spot
from which Antoniese had called him,
the fight for the moment was over.
The Italian and Waite both lay
sprawling on the ground, nearly
| knocked out by the big Poles heavy
fists. Eddy demanded to know where
| ''The Bull" was.
I'm here, curse you!" came the an
swer from a corner of the cave
through the darkness. I'm here, and
! I'm armed, and if you or anyone comes
near me I'll kill him. Boys" he went
on, calling two Of his countrymen by
name, there's going to be change
here now. We're going to kill this
| Eddy and his crew and run things our
way Come over here, any Of you that
stand by me-" There were shufiling
sounds in the inky blackness of the
place, and Eddy heard some Of the
men going over to the Pole.
"Boys," he called out, II don't know
how many of you have deserted me,
| but you're wrong. And you can't get
away with it. I'm trying to manage
things SO that we'll all have fair
chance. That's the only way. If you
think you can do better, put it to a
vote of us all, and if the rest of the
crowd likes your method better than
mine I'll step down. How about it,"
Eddy's heart leaped with encourage
/ I