CHAPTER II.
A POINTED DISCUSSION.
Hugh O'Hara was in middle life.

He was of Scotch descent, and, in his younger days, had received a fair education.

Even now he spent much time over his books.

He talked well, and was not without a certain grace of manner founded, no doubt, on his knowledge of human nature, which gave him great influence with others.

It was this, as much as his skill, that made him the leading foreman at a time when a score of others had the right by seniority of service to the place.
But Hugh had dipped into the springs of learning just enough to have his ideas of right and wrong turned awry and to form a distaste for his lot that made his leadership dangerous.