The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-03-13
Over the Falls: or, the LOgman'S Ride.

rude though substantial log cabin
stood on the bank of an ice-bound river,
in the heart of great Maine forest and
around the boisterous fire that rose and fell
in the huge log chimney, were seated score
of men. Without, the rain was pouring
down IN torrents, borne in great sheets
against the walls and roof of the cabin by
the strong wind that came like a race
! horse from the south and east. II was the
annual March storm that freed the rivers
from the icy fetters of winter, and forced
the way for the great mass of logs, that all
! through the cold months had been piled
upon their banks, TO find their way down
! to the cities by the ocean and the occu-
pants of the cabin we've rivermen, whose
/ duty it was to keep the struggling mass in
/ the stream, and so prevent each log from
wandering off singly into by and forbidden
channels in search of adventure on its own
account. All through the winter they had
| toiled in the swamp until the melting SHOWS
! had rendered further efforts in that direc-
ton impossible and now, each man hail
ed with joy the the storm that would send
him on his way down over the rushing
river, toward home and friends to whom
they had hidden adieu nearly six months
! before.
The group before the fire were engaged
in various ways in which to pass away the
time. Some of them were gathered around
the table, where party were having a
game of ''high low jack" Those looking
/ on ~, tal into Ia
play as those engaged, and each player
had his particular friend or backer to urge
him on when fortune frowned, or to applaud
when, by some master stroke, he was tri-
umphant.
Other groups gathered more immediate
ly about the fire, and were engaged in
storytelling, another popular amusement
among the logmen {; relating stories that
they had heard, or incidents of somewhat
marvellous character that had befalIen
them, i'll their long career in the forests and
on the rivers and many are the thrilling
stories this class of people can relate, with
out departing from the truth in their mar
ration for no other occupation is SO full
of danger aside from that Of sailor or SOL
dier, as that of the logman. Seldom is there
drive that ever reaches its place ofdestina-
ton without claiming as sacrifice one
or more of those who set gut full of life
anG expectations of soon seeing those dear
to him, from whom he had been parted so
long.
Others were talking of home, and of the
probability of soon being on their way,
themselves, either listening co the CONVEX
sation of the rest, or thinking, perhaps, of
wife or children, or of some one dear to
him, but who as yet bore not his name,
but would as soon as he could once more
reach her side and to these the fierce
roaring of the storm made music, and
stranger looking in upon them would have
said that another so happy, stalwart a crew
would be hard to find, even in that section |
which is famous for its tall broad -chested |
men.
''What is that you arc saying, Bill |
Brown >" demanded one of The players at |
the table, as he held the ace of diamonds |
suspended between his thumb and finger /
while in the act Of playing.
81 was telling the boys here that went |
over Wildcat Falls and came out all |
safe and sound, never once losing my hold |
upon the log had been riding" was the
answer.
That's lie, and big one, too. That
does for that ten spot - and the ace de-
scended upon the table with force that
was supposed TO give greater stress to both
assertions the speaker had made.
''Do you mean to call me liar, Cy. Cor
don ?'' demanded Brown, springing to his
feet and taking stride over to where the
offender was sitting, coolly drawing in the
game his last trick had taken, as if he had |
said nothing offensive.
81 do, if you mean to tell that story for
the truth. I've drove on that stream my
self, and l know that the man amt alive
who could go over Wildcat Falls, and come
ont alive, much less not lose his hold upon
the log he was riding. Such thing is
sit may be for you that can't ride log
any more than sheep. l wonder what
YOU are up here in the woods for y eX-
claimed Brown, tauntingly, and with anger
blazing in his eye.
zone thing I came for WAS to hear you
lie" said Gordon, coolly, as he played an
other card.
Ina moment Browns fist WAS clenched,
and he aimed a blow ut the skeptlcal pay
er that, had it reached its destlnation'
would have felled its recipient to the hoor'
but one of those sitting by watching uhe
play knocked up his arm, and the olo"
went wide of it's mark, while It's sender
almost pitched head foremost upon the
table.
GLOW careless you are, Brown = said
Gordon, without seeming TO notice that the
blow had been aimed at his head. 'Don