"I should say it is good ore," Tom remarked dryly. "Now, will you set the shovelers at work moving this stuff back a little way? I want to see a new drilling made and watch the results of the blast."
"If Pedro Gato—" began the foreman, reluctantly.
"Pedro Gato has nothing to do with this," Tom answered quickly. "Mr. Hazelton and I are privileged to give such orders as we deem best. Will you kindly tell the foreman so, Don Luis?"
"It is quite true," replied the mine owner. "Gato is no longer with us, and these gentlemen are in charge."
"Then I will have the ore moved back at once," agreed the foreman.
"But first we will go back out of the dirt and out of the danger from the blast," spoke Don Luis, using a good deal the tone of an order.
"The rest of you may go back," suggested Reade. "But I wish to see the drilling done."
"It is unnecessary, Senor Tomaso," smiled Don Luis, blandly.
"Come back with us."
"I must see the men work, Don Luis, if I am to understand the work here," Tom rejoined, very quietly, though with a firmness that was wholly apparent.
"Oh, very good then," smiled Montez, with a shrug of his shoulders.