The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1919-06-21
CHAPTER XVI.
Time the Umpire.


Hach day was now showing its prog
ress. The two ends of the trestle were
creeping across the stream from theiI
brush aprons. A few weeks of work
at the present rate, and the gap would
he closed, Hardin's big gate in it; the
bypass ready; the trap set for the
Colorado. The tensity of last spurt
was in the air.
1t was inspiring activity, this pittlng
of mans cumulative skill against an
elemental force. No Caucasian mind
which did not tingle, feel the privl-
legged thrill of II. TO the stolid native
this day OF well-pald toll was his mil
lennium, the fulfillment of the
prophecy. His gods had so spoken.
Food for his stomach, liquor for his
stupefaction; the white mans money
laid In brown hand each Sunday
morning was what the great gods fore
spoke. The completion of the work.
the white mans victory, would be an
end of the fat time. Hasten? Why
should they, and shorten their day of
opportunity?
Between the two camps oscillated
COronel, silently squatting near the
whites, jabbering his primitive Es-
peranto TO the tribes. His friendship
with the white chiefs, his age and nat
ural leadership gave him unique po.
sition in both camps. Assiduously,
Richard cultivated the old Indian who
crouched days through by the bank OF
the river.
The engineers felt the whip of ex'
citement. Never man left the camp
in the morning who did not look to-
ward that span crawling across the
treacherous stream, measure that
widened bypass. Would the gate
stand? The Hardin men, halloed for
the gate. but looked each morning to
see II It were still there. The Reclama-
tion Service men and the engineers of
the railroad were openly skeptieal;
Sisypfrus Outd0ne at his own game
Estrada and Rickard looked furtively
ut the gate, with doubt at each other.
Hardin. himself. was repressed, an
eager live wire. His days he spent on
the river; his nights, long hours OF
them, open-eyed, ON his back, watching
the slow-wheeling, star-pricked dome
of desert sky. His was the suspense
Of the man on trial; this was his
trial; Gerty, Ricknrd, the valley, his
Judge and jury. The gate grew TO be
a symbol with him OF restored honor.
an obsession of desire. II must be all |
right
Rlckard was all over the place. |
Watching every piece of rock that's |
bumped in the river" complained
Wooster. Believe he marks them ut |
nightw
They were preparing for the final
-ush. In a week or two, the work
would be continuous. night shifts to
'egin when the rock-pourng com
nenced. Large lamps were being sus-
pended across the channel, acetylene
whose candelpower was that of an are
light. Soon there would be no night
It the break. When the time for the
Iuick coup would come. the dam must
'e closed without break or slip. One
hat had already swallowed, two such
,igantic mouthfuls; covered with
ock; pinned down to the slippery bot
ON with piles. Another mat was
eady to drop; rock was waiting TO be
oured over it; the deepest place In
he channel was reduced from fifteen
D seven feet Each day the Overpour.
nxiously measured. increased. A third
team shovel had been added the rail
Dad sent in several work trains fully ,
nuipped for service; attracted by the
the hObOes were cOmmenc.
lg to come In.
1t was battle of big numbers. a 4,
uel OF great force where time was /
he umpire. Any minute hot weather
light fall on those snowy peaks I'D 9
Dnder, and the released waters, rush ,
g down, would tear out the defenses 7
I wave breaks over q chIld's fort I
ade of sand. This was a race, and I
! knew 1t. A regular train dispatch
stem was In force that the lnrushing \
Irs might drop their burden OF rock 9
I'd gravel and he Off after more. The
ragon was being fed rude meals, it's h
'petite whetted by the giut of pour.
x rock. y
Tod Marshall came down from Tue. y
n In his car. The coming of the a
ilmyra and Claudia rIppled the so h
al waters at the front for days
head. Grrty Hardin, too proud TO !,
III her ast0nished family thai she ;,
nnted 10 desert the moss tent, shook .
'rself from her injury, and did up" Il
her lingerie gowns. Mrs. Marshall ;,
as not going 10 patronize her even /,
her husband had snubbed Tom. 1t =
ns hot, ironing in her tent the doors
oscd Everything carried sting h