In every instance that statement brought forth a cheer.
“Did Mr. Newnham tell you that you could promise that?” inquired Harry.
“No,” said Tom shortly.
“Then aren’t you going a bit far, perhaps!”
“I don’t care,” retorted Tom. “Victory is the winning of millions; defeat is the loss of millions. Do you imagine Mr. Newnham will care about a little thing such as I’ve promised the men? Harry, our president is a badly worried man, though he doesn’t allow himself to show it. Once the road is finished, operating and safe, he won’t care what money he has to spend in rewards. He——-”
Tom did not finish his words. Instead he dug his heels into his pony, bringing his left hand down hard on that animal’s flank.
“Yi, yi, yi! Git!” called Tom, bending low over his mount’s neck. He drove straight ahead. Hazelton looked astonished for a space of five seconds, then started in pursuit of his chum and chief.
It was not long ere Tom reined in, holding up a hand as a signal to Harry to do the same thing.
“Here, hold my horse, and stay right here,” ordered the young chief.
“Tom, what on earth——-”