Page:The Cannery Boat.pdf/228

218 “Against those Right-Wing crowd I mentioned just now.”

The organizer looked round carefully on all sides and then added, “Fellows like Toyama … to keep an eye on their movements…”

“Toyama?”

“Yes, I’m telling you. In the past he was one of our best leaders, but lately he’s gone to the devil.” His voice became more excited as he went on. “Now is a mighty dangerous time, d’you get me? We must not get into our head the idea that it’s enough to belong to the union. The company feels the financial depression and is like a mad dog. They’re counting on two or three of the Right Wingers at this efficiency committee meeting, and if things go as they plan they’re hoping to make a split among us. So you see, at a dangerous time like this Toyama may turn against us.” Tora-Ko listened in silence.

“So you’re to let Nagai at headquarters know within five hours how many of that element there are in your department. D’you understand? The efficiency committee is going to break down for certain.”

“And then we get ready for a strike?”

“Yes! The company’s plan of an efficiency committee was made when they knew we were already determined on a strike.”

Revolutionary songs, mixed with the whirring sound of the machines, floated to them.

Tora-Ko answered in a roar:

“All right! Let them try it!”