White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-08

scended. while O'NeiI described the
nature of the bottom. the depth and
character OF his foundations and the
measure of his progress. He explain
ed the character of that bar which lay
above the bridge site and pointed out
the heavy layers OF railroad iron with
which his cement work was re-en-
forced.
II spent nearly two seasons studying
this spot before | began the bridge"
be continued. Il had men here night
and day observing the currents and
the action OF the ice Then | laid my
piers accordingly They are armored
and REINFORCED IN withstand any
shock"
The river Is subject to quick rises,
| believe suggested Blaine.
Twenty feet In a few hours"
The volume of Ice must be almost
Irresistible"
almost" Murray smiled. mot
quite. Our ice breakers we're especial
~ designed by Parker to Withstand
any weight. There's nothing like them
anywhere. In fact. there will be moth
Ing like this bridge when It's COM
pleted."
Blaine offered no comment. but bis
questions searched to the depths of the
builders knowledge. When they were
back in camp he said:
"Of course you know why I'm hereT"
"Your card told me that. but ! don't
need the Heidlemanns now"
I'VE are prepared to reopen negotia-
tons"
"Why?"
"My people are human: they have
feelings. You read Gordon's lies about
us and about that fight at Beaver can
yon? Well. we're used to abuse. and
opposition OF a kind we respect. But
that man stirred public opinion to such
a point that there's no further use OF
needing 1t. We're ready to proceed
with our plans now. and the public can
| go to the devil till II understands us
better We have several men In Jail at
| Cortez charged with murder. 1t will
cost us a fortune to free the poor fell
lows. First the Heidlemanns were
thieves and grafters and hooters OF the
public domain: now they have become
nssnssins. III this route to the interior
| proves feasible. well and good: IL not
well resume work at Cortez next
| spring: Kyak. OF course, Is out of the
question"
This route depends upon the bridge"
Exactly"
Its a two years job"
"You offered TO complete II this win
ter. when you talked with Mr.. Herman
Heidlemann."
"And-I cam"
''Then we'll consider a reasonable
price. But we must know definitely
where we stand by next spring. We
have a great deal of capital tied up In
the interior: we can't walt"
This delay will cost you something"
Mr.. Blaine shrugged. You made
that point plain when you were In New
York. We're accustomed to pay for
our mistakes"
xviii you cover this In the shape OF
an optionT"
That's what I'm here for. II you
finish your bridge and 1t stands the
| spring breakup we'll be satisfied.
shall expect to stay here and watch
the work"
O'Nell agreed heartily. you're very
welcome. Mr.. Blaine. | like your brand
OF conversation. | build railroads: |
don't run them. Now let's get down to
hgures."
The closing OF the option required
several weeks, Of curse. but the out
come was that even before midwinter
arrived O'Neil found himself In the
position he had longed to occupy. In
effect the sale was made and ON terms
which Melted him and his hackers 100
per cent profit. There was but one
proviso-nameIy. that the bridge should
be built by spring. The Heidlemanns
were impatient. their investment up to
date had been heavy. and they frankly
declared that failure to bridge the
chasm on time would convince them
that the task was hopeless. In a way
this was unreasonable. but O'Neil was
well aware that they could not permit
delay or a third failure. Unless his
route was proved feasible without loss
of time they would abandon 1t for n
they knew to be certain. even though
more expensive. lie did not argue
that the task was of unprecedented
difficulty. for he had made his promise
and was ready TO stand or fall by it.
1t is doubtful. however. If any other
contractor would have undertaken the
work on such time: In fact. had 1t been
a public bridge 1t would have required
four years In the building. Yet O'Neil
%cheerfully staked his fortune on COM
pleting Il In eight months.
With his option signed and the task
squarely confronting him. he realized
with fresh force its bigness and the
weight of responsibility that rested
upon his shoulders. lie began the most
dramatic struggle of his career. a fight
ouaipct uptriad conditions n dpsnprata