(_Watch in hand_) You've got two minutes left. HARVEY ANDERSON. Two minutes left of freedom. What do you say? You've got no North to look to, you white men. A WOMAN. (_With a child in her arms_) If you go in there, John, don't you come home. HARVEY ANDERSON. Bully for you, sister! THE WOMAN. Don't you dare come home. We ain't starved with you, you to sell yourself. WES DICEY. It's either go back, boys, or we'll be tramps. HARVEY ANDERSON. There's thousands of them off there good as you. You'd sell your soul to Egerton for bread. They keep theirs and go round the back door. VOICE. (_From the crowd_) Well? JIM KING. Listen to me. SAM WILLIAMS. Comrades, they can't start up; They've not the men. WES DICEY. Suppose they _don't_ start up? Suppose they shut down till the ice blocks there? Then where'll we be? JIM KING. You'll hear the children cry. HARVEY ANDERSON. Shut up your mouths or, if you're married men, Let your wives speak. 'You'll hear the children cry!' Where in the hell do you hail from any way? Or have they starved you till you've lost your grit? HASKELL. One minute. VOICE. (_From the crowd_) Bread! ANOTHER. What will we do, Sam? ANOTHER. Vote! SAM WILLIAMS. I've said my last word. WES DICEY. We've no time to vote. VOICE. (_From afar, right_) Wait! JIM KING. Be quick. HARVEY ANDERSON. Hold on! WES DICEY. Boys, suppose they say, 'First come, first served, and we don't need the rest'? JIM KING. (_Calling attention to the first flakes of snow_) Look at these flakes, men! (_There is a stampede for the gate_) AN OLD WOMAN. Run, Tommy! HARVEY ANDERSON. (_Drawing from his pocket a long blue revolver_) Halt! The first man puts his foot inside that gate I'll kill him. VOICE. (_Right as before, now near by_) One word before you go in there! (_Harry Egerton enters breathless_) HARRY EGERTON. Pardon me; I have run some seven miles To be here ere the sun went down, for I Knew what it meant to you. (_Stands for a moment collecting himself_) Men, my friends, What is it you are about to do? HARVEY ANDERSON. They're going back. HARVEY ANDERSON. (_As Harry Egerton seems about to speak_) Now listen, boys, for now you'll hear a word That you'll remember till the crack o' doom. HARRY EGERTON. I wouldn't do it, friends, if I were you. What will to-morrow be and the next day And years to come if you surrender now? You have your strength and right is on your side. I in my father's offices have struck The balances between you men and him. I know what part you've had of all these trees And what part he has had, and in my heart I know there is a balance on your side. Things can't go on forever in this way. HARVEY ANDERSON.