The explosive snorts indicated that the locomotive labored up the last steep pitch, and Lister sat down by the rails.

He was tired and would not be needed until the gravel plough threw the rattling ballast off the cars.

After a few moments he looked up, for a man came out of the gloom.
"Hello, Willis! I s'pose you've been taking a quiet smoke ?" "That's so," said the other.

"I've hustled round since sun-up and imagined the gang could get along for half an hour without my watching.
You want to leave something to your foremen." Lister said nothing.

He did not choose his helpers, but tried to make the best use of those the bosses sent.