His voice was sharp and insistent, and Laura told him hastily about the men who had called at the ranch.
“From what you say, they can’t well be here for another hour or two,” he said, and there was a determined glint in his eyes. “I fancy we’ll be through by then.”
He swung around, and raised a hand to the men. “Boys, you’ll get the last holes filled with giant-powder as quick as you can, and couple up the firing battery. We’ll lift that rock right out when you’re ready.”
He turned again to Laura. “I’m not sure you understand all that you have done,” he said. “For one thing, I think, you have saved us from being beaten when what we have fought for was almost in our hand.”
He paused for a moment, and then his voice became hoarse as he indicated the clustering men with a little forceful gesture.
“They have come in to see the last shot fired. We had arranged to put in a few more sticks of powder, and then lower the river once for all in another hour or two. 323 Some of the boys are now getting a big supper ready to celebrate the occasion, but if you hadn’t brought us the warning, it’s scarcely likely that any of us would have felt much inclined for festivity. In all probability, those strangers are bringing an order to restrain me from going any further. Once it was in my hands, I could not have fired the shot. All we have done would have been thrown away.”
“Ah!” cried Laura, “that would be intolerable!”
Nasmyth laughed significantly.
“Any way,” he declared, “until the papers are served on me, my charter stands. We’ll have scattered the last strip of rock when those men ride in.”
He made her a grave little bow. “You set us to work,” he said. “It is only fitting that you should once more hold the firing battery.”