"This is just the kind
of thing I like. I haven't run a gang of navvies in the Crow's Nest Pass
for nothing. You watch my smoke. But, one word, Pilot! When you see me
bearing down, full steam ahead, give me room! I'll make this go or bust
something." Then in a burst of confidence, he took Barry by the arm, and
added in a low voice: "And if I live, Pilot, I'll be running something
in this war bigger than the Transport of a battalion before I'm done."
Barry let his eyes run over the powerful figure, the rugged, passionate
face, lit up now with gleaming eyes, and said:
"I believe you, Duff. Meantime, I'll watch your smoke."
"Do!" replied Duff with superb self-confidence. And it was worth while
during the next hour to watch Duff evolve order out of chaos. First of
all he put into his men and into his sergeant the fear of death. But he
did more than that. He breathed into them something of his own spirit
of invincible determination. He had them springing at his snappy orders
with an eagerness that was in itself the larger half of obedience, and
as they obeyed they became conscious that they were working under the
direction of a brain that had a perfected plan of action, and that held
its details firmly in its grasp.
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