Page:Hugh Pendexter--The young timber-cruisers.djvu/134

. “For your fight is my fight and I’m sticking by you.”

Bub eyed him in growing amazement. Heretofore he had been the leader, almost paternal in his care of the stranger from the city. Now even in his perturbation, he began to realize that they had changed places and Stanley had become the leader. For the first time he noted that Stanley’s lean frame had taken on folds of muscle, and, while yet slim of build, presented the picture of glowing health. The blue eyes, too, had a new light, hard as steel, yet clear as crystal. Then the wailing whistle was repeated and Bub was again overwhelmed by a sense of fear.

“I’m going out that winder!” he snarled, violently endeavoring to break clear of the iron-like grip.

But Stanley’s experience in handling lumber and loading wet pulp squares had made his hands so many hooks of steel and with a grim smile he pressed Bub into a corner and held him powerless.

“Now you listen to me, Mr. Thomas. We are going to obey orders if we die doing it,” gritted Stanley in a low voice. “You can take the lead. at all other times, but not just now. For the next few hours I’m the boss.”