"
As the work progressed and it became apparent that the muck lands could
be sufficiently drained to be available for agricultural purposes,
Roger grew puzzled. There had been so far no opposition or
interference from Garman. Apparently he had been sincere in his
declaration that he wished to see Roger successful in the development
of the tract. Garman himself was not seen during the period that the
ditcher was at work, but the conduct of his employees made it obvious
that they had received orders to assist, not interfere with the
draining project. One day the proud Egret stopped to tow a disabled
supply boat up the river for White's crew. Another time two of
Garman's men came out and took the place of a pair of ditch workers who
were ill.
Why was Garman doing it? What was behind his apparent friendliness?
Roger gave up the puzzle. In fact, he had discovered that he was not
so vitally interested in his land project as he had thought himself to
be. He worked and saw that his men worked, and kept the job up to the
program he had outlined. And he tossed at night on his camp cot, his
mind tortured with other thoughts.
White completed his job, pocketed his check and chugged away down the
river.
Two days after his departure Roger and Higgins were measuring the
acreage cleared in the elder brush when one of the blacks said suddenly:
"Wha' dem man do ovah thah, Boss?"
Payne glanced out over the ditched sawgrass land whither the negro was
pointing and saw three men carefully picking their way along the spoil
banks beside the ditches.
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