"But—we can't hold on much longer. Dan says that some of the men are getting uneasy and want their money."
Tom nodded. "The men are all right—Doc has kept them paid up; it's the shift bosses. I say let 'em quit."
"Has it gone as far as that?"
"Somebody keeps spreading the story that we're busted and that Murray has skipped out. More of Gordon's work, I s'pose. Some of the sore-heads are coming in this evening to demand their wages."
"Can we pay them?"
"Doc says he dassent; so I s'pose they'll quit. He should have fired 'em a week ago. Never let a man quit—always beat him to it. We could hold the rough-necks for another two weeks if it wasn't for these fellows, but they'll go back and start a stampede."
"How many are there?"
"About a dozen."
"I was afraid it was worse. There can't be much owing to them."
"Oh, it's bad enough! They've been letting their wages ride, that's why they got scared. We owe them about four thousand dollars."