War
was declared, but the United States interfered in time to prevent
bloodshed. One Chinaman was killed, I believe, by dropping a flat-
iron on his toe, or something, and by the time the excitement had
died out we had begun digging. She knows Central America like the
palm of her hand. When she says Kirk Anthony wants a position, we
hirelings jump about and see that he gets it. Oh, you'll have any
job you want."
"Well!" The recipient of this good news congratulated himself
silently. "I wish you'd tell me something more about her."
"There isn't time just now; our motor is waiting. But we have the
whole afternoon ahead of us."
The two passed through the railroad gates and took their places in
the little car. When they were under way, Runnels went on: "I'm
supposed to show you this end of the work and tell you what it all
means."
"Then please start at the beginning. You see, I probably know less
about it than anybody living."
"Of course you know the general lay-out?"
"I tell you I don't know a thing. There's no use four-flushing."
Runnels smiled at this candor. "Well, the ditch will be about
fifty miles long, and, roughly speaking, the work is in three
parts--the dredging and harbor-building at sea-level on each end
of the Canal, the lock-work, and the excavations on the upper
levels.
Pages:
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180