The conductor swung off the steps of the coach before the train halted. He hailed Latisan, calling the name loudly. He beckoned with vigor and the drive master swung around and walked back to meet the trainman.
“I did my best, Latisan, to have your shipment loaded from the freight car on the main line, but they wouldn’t let me.”
“Who wouldn’t?”
“Our super. He was acting under orders from higher up. There was a special officer on hand to see that the orders were obeyed. Law says that explosives shall not be conveyed on a mixed train.”
“I know all about that law,” retorted Latisan. “But it has been eased up on in these parts because you pull a passenger coach on every train.”
“But law is law; it has been jammed down on us!”
“You mean that Craig has put the twist ring into your snout,” shouted the drive master. “And he’s leading your railroad by the nose like he’s leading a good many others in the Noda country.”
“I’m only a hired man——”
“And the Three C’s will have everybody in this section hired if the money holds out, and that’s the hell of it!”
“Look here, Latisan, you’re on railroad property, and that’s no kind of talk to have over in front of passengers.”