The _Colonist_ states that they have a number of men unemployed in the coast towns.

If Kerr wrote to a labor agent, he'd send him up a crowd." "It would cost him high to bring the men here, and take some time." "That is so," Charnock agreed.

He saw the others had made their plans and calculated the pressure they could put upon the engineers.

Time was important, and he thought the foreman had helped them to estimate the expense the company would incur by the delay before they could get new men.
"Putting down your tools would cost you something," he resumed.

"How long do you imagine it would take to persuade Kerr ?" "I guess a week would fix him; he wouldn't stand for a fortnight." "Very well! I don't suppose your object is to put us off the road; you want what you're entitled to.