Yeah, he admitted he’d been scared today. Being in a tunnel so far underground with no one to help him if he was attacked had caught him off guard. There were other crews nearby, but he had no idea if they would stop work to investigate a fight. Tomorrow, he was going in ready.
The next morning, he nodded and said, “Good morning.” After that he rode the elevator without a word to the others.
While they lit their hat candles, Ralph Evans said, “That Clayton jumped all over Toby. He has his nerve talking to my boy like he did. And none of the others defended Toby neither.”
“What’d you expect? You taught him to do only as much as he could get by with. Clayton expects a fair day’s work for a day’s pay. Did you think everyone went through life giving the minimum?” Finn strode down the tunnel to where he’d stopped the previous day.
Ralph caught up to him. “You think you’re better ‘n we are, don’tcha?”
Finn met the man’s stare. “I’m no better than any other man, but I’m every damn bit as good.”
Swensen said, “Get to work and quit bitchin’.”
Finn set to work, appearing to ignore the others but not trusting them enough to do so. He especially kept his eye on Junior. The man already had a paunch developing and he couldn’t be much over twenty years old. And he’d tried once to make Finn fall, so there was no giving him a second opportunity.
At noon, Finn ate at the edge of the others.
Junior came over beside him. “Guess I scared you yesterday. I could throw you into the pit under the elevator anytime I want, you know.”
“Oh? You the one killing others around here?”
Junior’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? I never killed nobody.”
“Then don’t threaten me. Someone has caused trouble and several men died. Mick Gallagher almost died and is in the hospital now.”
Junior forked a thumb at his own chest. “Don’t blame me. I don’t know Gallagher. You’re the one I don’t like.”
Finn got in his face. “That makes us even, for I don’t like you either. You’re a lazy bully and I’ve got no time for your kind. I’m here to do a job and that’s mine coal. What the hell are you here for?”
“I’m a miner too. Just because you think you’re too good for us, don’t think you are.”
Swensen slapped Junior upside the head. “I said quit your bitchin’. Time to go back to work.” He pointed at Junior. “And I mean work.”
Grumbling, the two Evans men went to the seam of coal and started picking it loose. Finn still outworked both of them combined.
All three of the Swensen boys worked harder, but Joe and Peter were young. Neither could do the work of a man. Finn wondered how much pay they received. Even though they’d bullied and ganged up on Lance, he sympathized with the lads.
He hated this life now, but he’d have hated it more at their age. At least he had hope of leaving, whether to his ranch or back to Dallas’s. The Swensen boys could only look forward to a dreary life underground.
At the end of the day, Swensen stopped Finn. “I may have misjudged you, O’Neill. You’re a hard worker. We might get off the bottom of the board this month.”
Surprised, he forced a smile. “I hope so. Sure and ‘tis someone else’s turn to be last.”
He walked back to the wash up area a little less fatigued than the previous day. Darned if he wouldn’t go see Stella. Watching her pretty face light up would improve his disposition a hundred percent.
He cleaned up and ate quickly before striding toward her home. When he rapped on the door, they were just finishing supper and invited him in.
“I came to ask Miss Stella to walk with me.”
Council smiled. “We enjoyed the roast. You’re spoiling us.”
Mrs. Clayton rushed to hug him. “That’s the first beef roast we’ve had in ever so long. I hated to serve it without you, but we were afraid of it spoiling unless we cooked it.”
“I’m that glad you enjoyed the meat. ‘Tis often enough you’ve fed me that I owe you a bit o’ food in payment.”
“Oh, you’re always welcome, Mr. O’Neill.” Her sweet face convinced him she meant her words.
Stella threw her shawl around her. Today she wore a blue dress that made her eyes look more blue than green. True the garment had seen a bit of wear, but she looked lovely. He wondered if she’d knitted the cream shawl she wore.
He offered his arm and they went on their way.
“How has your new crew been?”
“Ach, don’t ask. ‘Tis even worse than I feared. I thought yesterday Junior Evans would kill me. Today Swensen told him to lay off, but not in those words. I can’t repeat to a lady what Swensen said.”
Alarm spread across her perfect face. “My goodness, Finn. I hope you aren’t in danger. Mining is hazardous enough without your crew mates acting violent.”
“Sure and ‘tis straightened out they are. Junior is still apt to attack me, but he’s that slow and not so strong as me.”
She appeared unsatisfied with his answer. “If he hits you from behind, he doesn’t have to be stronger than you. Oh, Finn, go back to Mr. Farland and ask him to change you out of that crew.”
“I can’t, Stella. I’ll be fine, don’t you worry your beautiful head.” He patted her hand where it rested on his arm.
Sparks ignited in her eyes and he sensed her body tense. “Hearing things like that makes me so mad. Do you think I’m stupid that you can pat me and tell me not to worry?”
“Just the opposite. You’re the smartest woman I’ve ever known. Maybe the smartest person, although Dallas’s aunt Kathryn is smart as a whip. ‘Tis thinking I am that you’ll like her. And I know she’ll think a lot o’ you.”
She sighed. “When I think I’m mad at you, you say something irresistible.”
“Ah, then I hope ‘tis always so. You’re fierce when you’re angry and I don’t want to be on the receivin’ end o’ your temper.” He laughed and did a fast dance step and twirled her around before replacing her hand on his arm.
“Don’t start about my temper or you’ll rile me.” Her eyes sparkled with mirth belying her words. “You’re very talented musically. Seems a shame you’re underground all day.”
“To me, too. I’ve no fondness for the mine. I’ll be that glad when I can quit.” He caught himself too late. He’d been so careful to watch his tongue, but being with Stella relaxed him and his thoughts had slipped out before his mind caught them.
Surprise showing on her face, she peered at him. “What do you mean? Are you quitting soon?”
He shook his head. “Just meant that I want to have me ranch. Ranching’s a good life, Stella. Hard, but there are slack times when a body can relax in front o’ the fire. Best of all, ranching happens entirely above ground.”
She laughed. “You’re a dreamer, Finn O’Neill, but I like hearing your dreams.”
“Mine will come true. You wait and you’ll see I speak true.”
Chapter Twelve
Finn rubbed sleep from his eyes before he took his turn cranking the elevator platform to the level where Swensen’s crew worked with three other crews. They stepped from the shaky conveyance and trudged to where they’d left off the previous workday.
He set to work immediately. Another day in the underworld. Finn thought of the stories Dallas had told of the Greek myths and could understand why Hades needed Persephone to brighten his life. That thought led him to consider Stella and the way his time with her lightened the weight of this job.
Realizing she believed him only a dreamer instead of a potential rancher made him value her friendship more. Was theirs only friendship? His attraction to her increased as he knew her better, not the other way around as he’d hoped.
At lunch, Ralph Senior stood behind him while Junior pushed into him and he tripped over Senior’s extended leg.
Fury blinded him and he leapt to his feet, slinging muddy water from his clothes and ready to end lunch with a brawl.
Sw
ensen’s arm at his chest stopped him. “There’ll be no more of that. Ralph, you and Junior are on report to Adams. Once more and Adams will fire you.”
The crew chief stepped in front of Senior. “You’re a grown man. What kind of example are you setting for your kids?”
Ralph screwed his face in derision. “They know where their food comes from. Why are you takin’ up for this interloper who thinks he’s better ‘n us?”
Swensen poked Ralph Senior in the chest. “Matters not to me whether you like O’Neill or not, you’ll get along and act your age. Quit worrying about him and do your job.”
Junior spoke low. “I ain’t forgettin’ you caused us to get a bad mark.”
Finn only shook his head. How could a troublemaker be stupid enough to blame someone else for his actions? The father and son reminded him of Tom Williams, the man who’d targeted his family before they’d met Dallas earlier in the year.
He glared at the younger Evans. “You heard Swensen. Act your age and get to work.”
Junior grumbled under his breath as he walked away.
Finn knew he hadn’t seen the last of this. The Evans men were bullies who hated anyone who outshone them in any way. With their low standards, that meant everyone. What a way to go through life.
After they left the mine that evening, Junior grabbed Finn’s shoulder. As Finn turned, Junior slugged him. Finn hit the ground with a wham that knocked the air from his lungs.
Men gathered around as Finn rose. He rubbed his jaw, which hurt like a sledgehammer had hit him. “Can’t give a man warning, is that right, Junior?”
The other man lunged at him. Finn sidestepped and chopped across the base of Junior’s neck. He would have followed through but Senior shoved him from behind.
Shouts arose from the other men about foul play and cheating. Two men grabbed Senior and held him back. Finn rose again but the delay had given Junior time to stand. He shook his head as if to clear either his mind or vision.
“Come at me fair, man, or do you need your papa to help you?” Finn beckoned to Junior.
With a growl, Junior rushed at him.
After growing up with a band of Irish Travelers, Finn knew how to fight even though he avoided conflict. He supposed mining camps provided similar training. Perhaps being a bully meant Junior didn’t have to fight his battles alone, for he hadn’t made a good choice.
Finn stepped aside again and repeated his earlier chop. Junior dropped to his knees but grabbed Finn’s ankle. Finn twisted as he fell and kicked Junior in the face. The sound of the man’s nose crunching accompanied his own crash to the ground.
He jumped to his feet quickly and braced for the next assault. His opponent staggered up with blood gushing from his nose. Junior spit out a tooth and came toward Finn.
Ben Adams yelled, “Stop this right now.”
Finn stepped back but Junior acted as if he hadn’t heard the order.
Sheriff Thad Quinton wielded a billy club. “Stop there or you’ll feel this on your skull.”
The two men holding back Ralph Senior released him.
Senior grabbed his son’s arm. “Come on, Junior, the sheriff said to stop.”
Junior stared at his father as if dazed but stopped his aggressive advance.
The lawman stared from Finn to Junior. “What’s the meaning of this? I won’t have brawling in my town.”
Junior said, “He started it.”
Numerous voices yelled liar and cheat.
Swensen stepped up. “I had to threaten the two Evans men in the shaft today. They wouldn’t stop mischief directed at O’Neill. Told Ralph Senior and Junior I was turning in their name to Adams here. They couldn’t let it go and attacked O’Neill as soon as we were off work.”
Adams looked at the two Evans men. “You’re both fired. You can pick up your pay tomorrow and have one week to move out.”
Ralph Senior stared at the foreman. “You can’t do that. I’ve got a family to feed.”
Adams pointed at him. “You should have thought of that before you caused trouble.”
The sheriff waved his billy club. “Okay, men, nothing else to see here. Get on your way.” He pointed the club at Finn. “I’ll be watching and there better not be any more trouble involving you.”
Finn held up his hands and walked away.
Council kept in step beside him. “You okay?”
“Yeah, other than my jaw feels like a mule kicked it.”
“Make that a jackass and you’d be right. Well, I’ll go on home. You better hit the hay and give your head some extra rest.”
“I expect that’s true. Probably feel like a giant pumpkin by morning.”
Council chuckled. “Save some for pie.”
On his other side, Aleski and Jose had joined him.
Aleski said, “We have big news. Farland exchanged me fifty cents on the dollar like you said. I sent for my wife and son. I don’t know how long the journey will take, but I’m happy they will finally be here with me.’
“Say, that’s great news. How about you, Jose?”
The man was more animated than Finn had ever seen him. “Maria, she wire she will be here in on Friday.”
“Wonderful. Wish we could celebrate. Maybe on Saturday night.”
“Sí, we will have a fiesta.” Jose danced ahead a few steps.
***
Friday morning, Swensen’s crew was the first in rotation to use the elevator platform. They climbed on and Finn braced himself for the worst part of his morning, his trip on what seemed a rickety, swaying descent. Ascending in the evening was as bad, but then he had leaving the mine for the day to comfort him.
He’d spoken to Clayton and his former crew mates as he passed them. Aleski was back at the longhouse with a bad stomach ache, but the rest of the crew would be the next group to follow. Swensen’s crew climbed aboard and Finn and Junior turned the crank that lowered them to their tunnel.
As he watched the cable unroll as they descended deeper into the mine, Finn was startled by the sight of broken threads in the wire rope.
“Quick, Hans, reverse and take us to the top as fast as you can.”
“What?” The younger man stared at him.
“What are you talking about?” The elder Swensen demanded.
Clutching the handle, Finn nodded at the spot above his head. “Look at the cable.”
Another of the threads pulled free, leaving less than half the cable supporting the platform.
Swenson yelled, “Take us up fast.”
Finn and Hans reeled the line back around the carrier frantic to reach above the damaged section. When they were well above where the cable would be secure, they slowed but kept turning the handles. Not until they were safely able to step off the platform did Finn relax.
Ben Adams scowled at them. “You men decide not to work today?”
Swensen glared at the foreman. “You’re supposed to check the cable. We like to have fell to our death.”
“That’s a new cable and only been on there two days. I watched it reeled on. There’s nothing wrong with the cable.”
Swensen gestured to the platform. “Yeah? Then why is over half the wire broken through about fifty feet down?”
Adams scowl changed to a shocked expression. “What?” He rushed to the cable. “Men, help me unroll this cable.”
Finn and Hans swung the platform sideways to get it over firm ground before unwinding the cable to reach the damaged portion. When they had enough line, they tugged the cable toward the foreman for inspection.
Anger turned his face dark red. “This isn’t broken, the wire strands have been deliberately cut. No one is using this until the cable has been replaced.”
Council asked, “Should we use the night crews’ platform or the one for the coal cars?”
Adams shook his head. “No one is using anything until I’ve checked into this. I’m pretty damned tired of these incidents. I find out who’s responsible and he’s a dead man.”
Swensen ask
ed, “So, we go home and lose a day’s pay?”
The foreman glared at him. “You rather lose your life? Go home. I’ll have to inform Mr. Farland about this latest sabotage.”
Finn walked with Council Clayton and his crew. “Surprised Adams closed the mine for today?”
Council glanced over his shoulder. “First time I’ve known that to happen. Would have thought our lives were disposable as long as production stayed on schedule. Probably would have been if Farland were consulted before Adams acted.”
“I can’t decide if this was directed at you or at me.”
Council met his gaze. “Wondered the same thing. Schedule for using the elevator is easy to figure out. If your crew safely unloaded, mine would have been sure to fall.”
“Who has time and means to cut the cable?”
Council shook his head. “Anyone could have during the night. The night crew’s working on another section this week and using the other elevator.”
Obviously overhearing them, Jose said, “I was up late watching the card players but heard nothing.”
Finn wondered. “You weren’t listening for something like this. A man slipping out for the privy would go unnoticed. But the culprit might not be single.”
Jose appeared thoughtful. “You’re right on both counts. I wouldn’t pay attention to a man slipping out because I’d think he was going to the outhouse nor would I give any notice to how long he was gone. As you say, the man responsible might be married and not from our longhouse.”
Finn had another chewing out to look forward to, for he expected to be called before Farland and either fired or threatened. One thing, he’d eliminated Swensen as the one responsible, for the man wouldn’t risk himself and two of his sons. That left him just lazy and ineffective as a crew leader.
When they reached the place where the single men and married separated, Finn paused. “Sir, I’d like to meet Stella today at her school? I’ve not seen the inside.”
“She’ll probably enjoy showing it off. I don’t know what to do with an extra day off.”
“Take Mrs. Clayton somewhere. Maybe even just a picnic.”
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