Two, swaying backwards and forward with rhythmic precision, dragged a big crosscut-saw through a massive trunk.

Others swung bright axes, and the wood rang with the noise of their activity.
All were usefully employed, but there were more of them than Festing expected.
"The two boys with the cantpoles belong to the contractor's bridge-gang," he said.

"What are they doing here ?" "I think I told you Norton said I could have them when we were moving the big poles," Charnock replied.

"He saw I needed help." "But that was some days since.

He sent them to help at a particular job which you have finished." "He hasn't asked me to send them back.