Cinder Path Tales

THE HOLLOW HAMMER 45 their own. We saw Duffy standing with a little knot of henchmen, and they gaveMac a critical glance as he walked by my side. It had leaked out insome waywho myman was, and theinterest inhim was great. They knew I was not in the habit of taking up anything unless it was good, and some of Mac's friends from the foundry had got aday off, with their lastpay envelopes with them. All the officials and two-thirds of the crowd were Caledonians, but the contests were nearly all open, and there wasa large number of other nationalities represented, particularly the Irish. Of system there wasnext tonone, changes were frequent, and orders givenand counter­ manded in the same breath. The noisewas deafening andthe heat insupportable. The dust was like a goodScotch snuff as far as sneezing properties were concerned, andof about the same color. We were just in time to seethe "fat men's race," in which the contestants ran them­ selves almost into apoplexies. I am sure some of these mountains of fleshmust have permanently injured themselves, and en­ dangered their lives by their exertions. I do not pretend toremember allthe con­ tests thatfollowed, butthere wereopportuni­ ties for every one, man, woman, and child,