"I want some one to help close and fasten up the buildings and yards," he said, promptly and resolutely. "Those of you who may fear to compromise yourselves with your companions are at liberty to retire. On the other hand, those of you who are willing to assist me, shall be well paid for your trouble. Who now will volunteer?" Every man stepped forward. Rapidly Mr. Bacon issued his orders. "Go out of the back door of the office, and swing to the gates, and bar them in place. Then scatter among the buildings, fastening down the windows, lowering the shutters, and locking the doors. While you are doing that, I will hold the angry crowd at bay in front of the office. As soon as you have finished your work come back here, for I may need you." And as the men hastened away to do his bidding, he fearlessly threw open the front door of the office, and stepped calmly out to meet the crowd of excited men, who were moving down toward him. They grew less turbulent as they drew near, and found the yard gates closed, and the superintendent on the office steps, picking his teeth with the utmost unconcern, and looking down unflinchingly into their excited faces. He certainly was not afraid of them, and their oaths, and shouts, as they came on, had failed to intimidate him in the least. His coolness and bravery had a visible effect upon them, and they became silent as he pleasantly remarked: "You seem unduly excited this morning, my friends; may I inquire what your trouble is?" Hyde, the leader of the crowd, a man of almost giant size, stepped out from the others a few paces, and insolently answered: "We've come to demand what is our right, and we propose to have it peaceably if we can, but forcibly if we must." "What is your right?" asked Mr. Bacon, calmly. "That there be no reduction in our wages whatever," answered the fellow, boldly; "that we be allowed to return to our work at old rates." "And suppose we refuse, what then?" inquired Mr. Bacon, with some show of interest in his tones. The silence that followed was prolonged and oppressive in its intensity. Hyde evidently was nonplussed at the way he and his followers were received. Mr. Bacon had, however, asked a fair question, and he was waiting patiently for an answer. Hyde was too keen-witted to make any threat, and thus render himself liable to an immediate arrest. "We claim this as our right, and intend to maintain it to the end," he finally replied. "We shall refuse to go to work until our demand is granted." And a murmur of approval could be heard among his followers.