"Dynamite! Get dynamite. We'll blow it up! We'll teach the bosses a lesson that they won't forget!"
Half a dozen men had started away on a run. After a time, amid the clamor and the shouting, these same six miners were seen crawling up the ravine toward the bridge itself.
"Look! Look!"
The men above had seen them.
"They're going to dynamite the bridge!"
It was true. The great structure that meant so much to the mining company seemed doomed to destruction. The ground fairly shook with the roar that arose when those above discovered the purpose of their fellows. Cavard had disappeared.
At that moment a lad dashed through the mob and out on to the bridge, running along the ties a hundred feet in the air.
"Stop! Back, every man of you!" he shouted. "It will be prison for years for every man who has a hand in this affair! Call them off! Stop them while there is still time!"
"Get off the bridge, unless you want to be blown to kingdom come!" roared the crowd.
"Let him blow up! It's what he deserves."