"Oh, no. We do not make threats; that is, not until afterwards, perhaps," answered the lad significantly. "Don't you think it would be a pretty good idea for you men to get to work?" demanded Foley. "You won't last long at this rate." "If you can fix that pit so it will not burn the skin from our legs we will go to work." "That's up to you." "Then I will see what I can do. I hope the Honorable Mr. Watski Kalinski will keep away, even if he is our boss." "Yes, he'd better keep his distance from me," growled Bob, who had been growing angrier as he gazed at the grinning pit boss. Rush, after a quick glance at both the foreman and pit boss, began looking about for a plank. He found a piece of the required length after a time. This he threw into the pit, then climbed down on it. His shovel threw out a quantity of the hot cinders. Kalinski got them full in the face. It had been purely an accident on Steve's part, for the boss had changed his position in order to look over into the pit to see what his shoveler was doing. The cinders burned Watski's face; they filled his eyes and filtered down inside his shirt. The boss danced a jig for the next minute or so, slapping his chest, pulling his shirt as far from him as he could and shrinking back to keep the hot stuff from burning holes through his skin. "Whoop!" howled Bob Jarvis. "Now, how do you like it? Got a dose of your own hot stuff that time, didn't you? Good for you, Steve!" Rush's face reddened. "I am sorry, sir, but that was an accident. I did not know you were there. I thought you were sitting down over yonder." Watski could not speak. His rage was consuming him and the cinders were keeping his hands fully occupied. "I say, sir, it was an accident." "It's a lie!" exploded the boss. "You--you did it on purpose!" With a growl of rage the Pole leaped into the pit, intending to reach the plank. Steve hopped out on the opposite side and Kalinski fell on his face in the hot cinders. Bob uttered a howl of delight. This was much better than he had hoped for. Watski was getting his punishment without the boys having to administer it, and he was getting it properly, judging from his yells. By this time several men had gathered about the pit, making no effort to hide their delight at the Pole's predicament. Rush hopped down to the plank, leaving his shovel on the ground. He grabbed Kalinski by the shirt collar and the seat of the trousers, and, without any apparent effort, tossed the man out of the pit. The spectators gazed at the young man in amazement. His great strength was a marvel to them. "Oh, why didn't you let him toast some more?" grumbled Bob. "He hasn't had enough yet. I tell you, he's only half baked." "Take your shovel and get in here. We shall be in trouble the first thing we know," warned Rush.