"Hear, hear!" yelled the audience.
A gleam of satisfaction lighted up the face of the chairman for the moment, after which the expression in his eyes grew steely.
"Second the motion," shouted a chorus of voices.
"You have heard the motion, gentlemen. It has been moved and seconded that the Amalgamated Mine Workers call a strike in all of the mines, beginning at midnight to-night. Are you ready for the question?"
"Question, question, question!"
"Stop!"
Steve Rush sprang to his feet. He waved his hat to attract the attention of the miners.
"Stop, men! You are about to make a great mistake. Do you know what a strike means? It means that your families will suffer; it means starvation for your wives and children. You have been led into this by soft words and false promises. That man," pointing to the chairman, "is using you to serve his own selfish purposes. The Duke isn't your friend. He is your worst enemy, and I will prove it to you before I have done with him."
"Throw the boy out!"
"Order! You are out of order!" shouted Cavard. "I shall have you ejected from the hall unless you cease this tirade. Men, there is a motion before the house and the question has been put."