He would
have everything in readiness upon the twenty-fifth day of September.
He knew that the water would at first run slowly through the dry
canals, that the thirsty soil would drink up the first of the precious
gallons, that he must allow himself those five days in order that he
play safe. And now that he had seen the scope of the work to be done,
now that he felt that he could manage without the auxiliary dam until
after the first of October, that the two dams here on Deep Creek and
Indian Creek would give him enough water to keep to the terms of the
contract, he believed that he would have everything in readiness by
the twenty-fifth of September.
For this he had hoped, at first half heartedly; for this he was now
working. Besides the inducements he had offered his men he now
promised them a wage of once and a half for overtime. That meant that
from the first light of morning until dark, with often less than an
hour off at noon, they worked day after day. They fought with the
uneven bed of the stream, they fought with great boulders, until their
arms ached in their sockets and their scanty clothing was drenched
with sweat. Conniston, while he urged them on to do all that was in
them, marveled that they did not break down under the strain.
Nor did he spare himself. Many a night during the swift weeks which
followed he had no more than three or four hours' sleep.
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