"Skip and all the fellers saw you talkin' to Donovan, an' they know you showed him the message from the regulators."
"What of that?"
"They don't 'low anything of the kind, an' you've got to take a thumpin', even if you do treat."
"So I'm to get a double dose, eh?"
"That's about the size of it. Skip says you'll be laid up for a week when the s'ciety gets through with you."
"I'm much obliged for the promise; but don't believe quite all he says."
Chunky shook his head as if to intimate that the case was a desperate one, and then the nooning had come to an end. The clouds of coal dust which had but just settled rose again as the machinery was put in motion, and all was activity once more.
Although Fred had spoken so bravely he felt seriously disturbed, and during the remainder of the day his mind was fully occupied with thoughts of how he might successfully resist his enemies.
When night came he had arrived at no satisfactory conclusion, and at the signal to cease work Chunky ran swiftly away thus showing that while he would not join with the society as against his mate, he did not intend to take sides with him.
Donovan's promise of assistance was not a vain one. When Fred emerged from the breaker a few paces behind Chunky he saw the boss waiting for him, and the latter said in a friendly tone: