Gil had tried to reduce this percentage.

The threshers, abetted by Henry Dorgan, had tried to increase it.

Dorgan also had told the hired hands that Steele intended to reduce their wages.

Steele had become angry and refused to talk to any of the men.

In some mysterious way Dorgan had introduced a keg of whiskey into the situation.
The hands had demanded their money, and none was forthcoming.