During these days Hounshell did not come out to the cottage, but the labor movement culminated, and all the railroad and mill employés demanded an advance of wages. IV. THE THIRD BRIDGE. The employers met in conference, and agreed not to yield--so the strike began. Scofield, however, and a small group with him, stoutly refused to join the movement; and some work was still done at Hounshell's. This encouraged the other mill-owners and directors, and exasperated the men in revolt. At first everything was quiet and orderly; but as the success of the laborers grew more doubtful to them, anger and excitement gained sway. "I feel almost afraid for father," said Addie to Simeon Piper, on the fourth day of the strike. For, in fact, there were now serious threats of riot. "I don't believe they would do him any harm," said the Californian, easily. "The most they'll do will be to make him stop working, and then he'll have a holiday." "But he won't stop," the girl affirmed, excitedly. "I know father better than you." "Well, then," suggested Piper, still seeking an easy way out, "persuade your friend Brown--my friend, too--to come over to father's side." Piper, with a Western taste for convenience and cordiality, had adopted this mode of referring to Scofield. "But I--I don't want to," faltered Addie, with a soft blush. "Hoity-toity!" cried Simeon. "What does that mean?" "I want him--the strikers, that is--to win." "Against father?" Piper raised his good-humored eyebrows. "Oh dear, I wish they were on the same side! I only know I'm fearful. They'll hurt him; I know they will." "Oh, look here," said Piper, "that's all foolishness! But I'll tell you what: we'll walk down to town and see how things are going." "Shall we? Oh, how nice you are, Mr. Piper! Come on, then." And they started. A great many men were standing about the streets, looking ominous of ill; but as yet no disturbance was made. The mill stood at one end of the street-bridge; and as Piper and Addie came up to it they heard the noise of a crowd approaching around one corner of it. A moment after they had gained the entrance, this crowd, which numbered some twenty-five men, armed with thick sticks and some heavy stones, arrayed itself face to face with them. "Where do you lot plan on going?" asked Piper, in a leisurely manner. "In here," said some of the group, "to stop them working." "I guess not," observed the Californian. His tone was even genial. "We'll see," retorted a leader, moving forward. The mill-door was fast, but at this moment the bolts were loosed, and Scofield made his appearance. "Addie," he commanded, sternly, "come in, and out of the muss! and you, too, Piper."