"That's right," said Orde.
In a tone of vast astonishment, the Rough Red mentioned his probable
deserts in the future life.
"Luk here, Jack," said he after a moment, "here's a crew of white-
water birlers that ye can't beat nowheres. What do you want us to
do? We're now gettin' four dollars a day AN' board from that
murderin' ould villain, Heinzman, SO WE CAN AFFORD TO WURRK FOR YOU
CHEAP."
Orde hesitated.
"Oh, please do now, darlint!" wheedled the Rough Red, his little
eyes agleam with mischief. "Sind us some oakum and pitch and we'll
caulk yure wanigan for ye. Or maybe some more peavies, and we'll
hilp ye on yure rollways. And till us, afore ye go, how ye want
this dam, and that's the way she'll be. Come, now, dear! and ain't
ye short-handed now?"
Orde slapped his knee and laughed.
"This is sure one hell of a joke!" he cried.
"And ain't it now?" said the Rough Red, smiling with as much
ingratiation as he was able.
"I'll take you boys on," said Orde at last, "at the usual wages--
dollar and a half for the jam, three for the rear. I doubt if
you'll see much of Heinzman's money when this leaks out."
XXIV
Thus Orde, by the sheer good luck that sometimes favours men engaged
in large enterprises, not only frustrated a plan likely to bring
failure to his interests, but filled up his crews.
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