CHAPTER XIV—CONSIDINE'S WORK IS ENDED
THE next morning Bruce was still in bed when Hunch went to work. McGuire did not appear with the other men, and at noon his brass check still hung on its nail in the timekeeper's shanty. Shortly after lunch Bruce and McGuire, both a little the worse for drink, appeared and went to work with the gang. Hunch had gone up to the mill, and did not see them until his return; When he came near they were dawdling over their work, chuckling together over some incident of the morning.
“What you two doing here?” Hunch asked.
Bruce started and moved away from McGuire.
“Speak up.”
McGuire muttered, “Guess we know what we're doing.”
“Look here,” said Hunch, “you go to the office and get your time.”
McGuire lowered his cant-hook. “What—what you say?”
“Go on. Don't talk to me.”
McGuire dropped his cant-hook and started away.
“Come back here, McGuire. Pick that up.”
McGuire muttered.
“What's that you're saying?”
“I ain't saying nothing.”
Hunch started toward him, but checked himself.
“Pick up that cant-hook, McGuire.” McGuire obeyed and walked slowly away. Hunch turned to Bruce, who stood looking on with his mouth open.
“What are you gaping there for, Considine. Go 'long.”
“Where?”
“Go and get your time. We're through with you.”
Bruce stood still looking stupidly at Hunch.
“What?” he said. “You ain't——”
“Get off the job. Understand? You're laid off. We don't want you.”
Bruce slowly lifted his cant-hook to his shoulder. He stared at Hunch until Hunch turned away, then he walked over to where McGuire was standing, and went away with him.
Late in the afternoon they came back and hung around, watching the gang at work. They had been drinking again, and McGuire had a bottle in his pocket which he pulled out frequently. They were talking loud and laughing.
Their actions drew the attention of the men and annoyed Badeau, though he said nothing for a long time. Finally, Bruce and McGuire began calling at the men, growing bolder in their remarks. At last McGuire called, “You fellows mus' like working for tha' dam' fool,” and Hunch walked toward them.
“You'll have to move away from here,” he said. “We can't have you disturbing the work.”
“Go 'way!” McGuire replied. “You can't touch us. We ain't on your job.”
“Stop that, McGuire! Get out, quick, or I'll throw you out!”
McGuire laughed. Hunch went to him and pulled him to his feet.
“Le' go o' me!” said McGuire. “Take your hand off o' me!”
Hunch began dragging him away. McGuire hung back protesting and threatening. Bruce walked slowly after them, shaking his head and talking to himself. McGuire braced his feet. Hunch gave him a wrench that nearly threw him, and McGuire struck at him. Bruce watched the struggle, the old drunken cunning in his eyes, then he ran forward and jumped on Hunch's back, pounding him about the face and head. Hunch staggered, but recovered and caught McGuire with his knuckles squarely on the side of the jaw. McGuire staggered back. Bruce had both arms around Hunch's neck and was trying to choke him. Hunch gripped Bruce's wrists, and slowly pulled them forward, until their hold was loosened; then he turned quickly, took hold of Bruce's shoulders, and threw him against a pile of cut timber. Bruce struck hard and seemed for a moment to be clinging to the pile, then he fell on his face.
Some of the men were running toward them. One was calling:
“I seen it, Hunch! It weren't your fault! I seen it!”
Hunch stood panting as the men gathered around.
“Better see if he's hurt,” he said.
They rolled Bruce over. His face was covered with blood. One of the men brought some water from the river in his hat, and washed it off.
McGuire stood at one side, rubbing his cheek. Hunch ordered him away, and he went without a word. The other men were crowding around Bruce. One of them looked up and said: “I guess he's done for, Hunch.”