"All right, we'll take it for granted," Phil returned. "Just step out into the hall for a minute or two. After I've had a word with Handy you can state your case." "You're foolish to waste time discussing anything whatever with these fellows," Grove remarked, as the door closed on them. "I'd pay off the works and have a new crew sent up. The bird that spoke is too smooth-tongued for a logger. He's got agitator written all over him." "Best high-rigger I ever saw," Jim Handy growled. "All loggers agitates now and then." Phil paid no attention to his brother's comment. He addressed Handy. "When did they pull this strike?" "This mornin'. They chewed the fat till midnight in the bunk house. After breakfast not a man turned out. They wouldn't talk. They said these two would talk for 'em. I've told you what they want. Fifty cents a day raise. Six bathtubs." "Bathtubs!" Grove snorted disdainfully. "Short notice," Phil ruminated. "H'm. Have they been kicking?" "Loggers always kicks," Handy grumbled. "They've been growlin' some. I've told 'em they always got the privilege of quittin'. I've fired three or four of the mouthy ones. When they all laid down at once, I reckoned I'd better put it up to you." "What do you think about it yourself?" Phil asked him. "Can you get another crew together and go ahead?" Handy shifted uneasily. "I hear men's scarce in town," he said. "If I can dig up a crew, of course I can go ahead. But no pick-up crew will get out as much timber. Not for a month or two anyhow. Most of this bunch has been on the job since the camp opened." "We're paying standard wages," Phil observed. "If it were left to you, Handy, would you give them the raise?" "I don't know but I would," the logging boss brightened. "Cheapest. One or two of the big Island camps have tilted wages. This crew can sure get out timber. Breakin' in new men costs money." "Just what have you told them?" Phil inquired. "If you haven't stirred them up, I may be able to talk them out of it." Handy grinned. "I was darn careful not to stir 'em up. I know loggers. I'm a logger myself. I didn't say much of anything. When I seen they was set, I just said, 'Well we'll put it up to headquarters. I hire and fire, but the owners sign the pay checks'." "All right. Send those two in as you go out," Phil said finally. "I'll see you down on the float after I get through." Andy Hall and his companion entered. "Tell me what you want," Phil said briefly, "and why you consider yourselves entitled to it." "We ask for fifty cents a day raise for every outside worker on the job, from whistle-punks to hook-tenders," Wright voiced their demands. "We ask for you to put in at least half a dozen baths, tubs, or showers; showers would suit us best and they're easily installed. That's all."