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Updated: June 13, 2025
"Can you produce witnesses to your statements?" "I can, your Honour. One of the committee of miners, John Edstrom, is now in Pedro, having been kept out of his home, which he had rented and paid for. The other, Mike Sikoria, was also thrown out of camp. There are many others at North Valley who know all about it." There was a pause.
"If that's what you're counting on," retorted Cotton, "you may as well forget it. You've got no group any more." "Oh! You've got rid of them?" "We've got rid of the ring-leaders." "Of whom?" "That old billy-goat, Sikoria, for one." "You've shipped him?" "We have." "I saw the beginning of that. Where have you sent him?" "That," smiled the marshal, "is a job for your secret-service department!"
"Keep back from him there!" This last to Mike Sikoria and the other spectators, who were pressing nearer, peering over one another's shoulders.
Let Joe Smith and Sikoria and myself be the ones to go and see him, and the rest of you wait, and don't give up your jobs unless you have to." Having settled the matter of the committee, Hal told the assembly how Alec Stone had asked him to spy upon the men. He thought they should know about it; the bosses might try to use it against him, as Olson had warned.
After he had talked abstract theories for half an hour, Apostolikas gave up and moved on to Mike Sikoria, who, having been given a wink by Hal, talked about "scabs," and the dreadful things that honest workingmen would do to them. When finally the Greek grew tired again, and lay down on the floor, Hal moved over to Old Mike and whispered that the first name of Apostolikas must be Judas!
When Mike Sikoria came up from the pit that day, Hal took him aside and told him of the gathering. A look of delight came upon the old Slovak's face as he listened; he grabbed his buddy by the shoulders, crying, "You mean it?" "Sure meant it," said Hal. "You want to be on the committee to go and see the boss?" "Pluha biedna!" cried Mike which is something dreadful in his own language.
He and Jerry made up a list of those who could be trusted with the secret: the list beginning with the name of Mike Sikoria. To be put on a committee, and sent to interview a boss, would appeal to Old Mike as the purpose for which he had been put upon earth!
But instead of doing it, Hal thought about Edstrom's ants, and wondered at the power which made them stay in line. When morning came, he went up into the mountains, where a man may wander and renew his moral force. When the sun had descended behind the mountain-tops, he descended also, and met Edstrom and Sikoria in front of the company office.
Also she had fun with him for working under a Slovak another loss of caste, it appeared! This was a joke the Minettis could share in especially Little Jerry, who liked jokes. He told Mary how Joe Smith had had to pay fifteen dollars for his new job, besides several drinks at O'Callahan's. Also he told how Mike Sikoria had called Joe his "green mule."
Get his account at the store; and be quick, we're waiting for it. He's going out in a hurry." Again he hung up the receiver. "Tell me," said Hal, "did you take that trouble for Mike Sikoria?" There was silence. "Let me suggest that when you get my time, you give me part of it in scrip. I want it for a souvenir." Still there was silence.
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