Rush hopped down to the plank, leaving his shovel on the ground. He grabbed Kalinski by the shirt collar and the seat of the trousers, and, without any apparent effort, tossed the man out of the pit. The spectators gazed at the young man in amazement. His great strength was a marvel to them.
"Oh, why didn't you let him toast some more?" grumbled Bob. "He hasn't had enough yet. I tell you, he's only half baked."
"Take your shovel and get in here. We shall be in trouble the first thing we know," warned Rush.
Bob obeyed reluctantly. He limped a little as he walked toward the cinder pit, for his legs pained him and there were blisters on his feet where the hot cinders and slag had burned through the shoes. Besides, he felt that he had not done his duty.
"Did you hear Watski give you the lie, Steve?"
"Yes, I heard," answered Rush, beginning to throw out cinders again. "He isn't worth bothering with. Let him alone. We cannot afford to have any fights at the beginning. I was in hopes things would run along smoothly."
"I'll report you both; I'll have you fined!" he growled.
"Go on!" jeered Rush. "Report the other man. If you don't, I will."
"Let me at him! Let me at him!" yelled Kalinski, starting for the pit. "I'll rub his nose in the hot slag, I will! I'll show him he can't throw hot cinders in my face. Git out of my way!"
It was Foley's place to order the pit boss to let the boys alone and attend to his own business. Instead, Foley turned and walked away. He did not go far, however. He made his way to one of the open-hearth furnaces, where, unobserved, he peered around the corner of the red-hot pile of brick.
Rush saw that an encounter was unavoidable. He was sorry, but he decided quickly to avoid coming to blows if possible.
Kalinski had stooped over to pick up a shovel. In his rage he was going to attack the boys with it. Steve was out of the pit in a flash.
"Keep out of this, Bob, unless the others mix in. I'll take care of that fellow."
When Watski straightened up he found the Iron Boy standing over him with a pleasant smile on his face.
"I wouldn't do that, were I in your place, Kalinski. I tell you it was an accident, and I am sorry I threw the cinders over you. I give you my word that it was an accident."