This done, the rigging trunk was opened and the seine-like mass of
delicate hemp cords laid over the bag. No "greasers" were permitted
to assist in this. Ned and Alan, in bare feet, laboriously but
carefully drew the silk folds of the bag into the net. When this
was completed the suspension cords reached out in all directions
like skeleton fingers. In a quarter of an hour these had been
attached to the retaining bags with slip knots and then the boys
were surprised to find that it was already after six o'clock. At
their best they could not now hope to reach the relief camp before
nine o'clock and after dark.
Mrs. Buck came with a huge pot of coffee for all, and then followed
the last step. One by one, borne on the shoulders of the curious
workmen, the dangerous carboys of sulphuric acid were emptied into
the generating tanks. The boys guided each step of the men,
explaining the danger, and the work was finally completed without
hitch or accident.
At the first bubble of gas the boys felt like doing another war
dance. But they were "business men" now and had to put on dignity
in the face of their employees.
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