Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-02-27


waters, which the warm
spring rains had augmented TO mighty
food. Close behind the ice came
mighty jam of pine logs. The river was
fast clogging, and huge jam was formed
against the dam which had lately been
built across the river
:" A Jam must not be permitted to form
there cried John Lyon, as he saw the
rolling and tumbling mass of logs hating,
choking the river on the brink of the dam.
Among those gathered on the bank was
River Dan from the Dam.
Get yer pick-levers, boys y be cried in
Q loud voice.
The logs had already formed jam, and
the men in red shiits, with picks and
peevies, were focking to the dangerous
jam, working with might and main to
keep the mighty mass of pine moving.
The female portion of Oxbow was out
watching the movements of the red shirts.
Right in the center of the river, not far
from where the water boiled and seethed
over the dam, was Dick Wellington. giving
orders in stentorian voice. IT was dam
gerous place, and Janet Lyons cheek
blanched as she saw him.
The logs on the further shore were kept
moving, and the current of the river swept
that way with the fury of an avalanche
The red-shirts had been working an hour
with desperate energy. and many of them
were exhausted.
Go ashore, boys, and get lunch the
greatest danger is past Wellington and
will hold the fort until you return"
1t was Mr.. Lyon who spoke. He had
gone to the center of the river with the
GOODNESS of an old log-driyer. The men
obeyed The greater part of the logs had
oaA f61,
Halt the river was yet blocked with logs
piled to great hight. forming jam that
looked impregnable.
Scarcely had the last man reached the
shore, when wild cry rose above the roar
of the foaming water.
Ny God the whole jam is goingl'
Then came loud cracking, terrific
roar, and logs went with mighty rush
over the dam on the Oxbow shore
GOOD heaven they are lost"
This cry went up as all eyes were turned
upon Mr. Lyon and his foreman, now the
only occupants of the jam. 1t did seem as
though they were doomed, but they were
saved for the time as by a miracle. In the
center of the dam few logs held firm, and
soon all had swept through but this bit of
jam in the middle of the stream. An ex-
panse of foaming water boiled past on
either side, and the narrow jam swayed
and trembled as it hung suspended over
the dam. Below, ten feet, was a sea of
foam, where the water. in pouring over the
dam, was dashed to wild fury ON rocks and
stones.
Both men felt the awful danger, almost
certain death, that stared them in the
face.
There's no chance for them fellers
they're as good as gone that's sartin,n
uttered River Dan.
Swaying and groaning, the floating island
seemed every moment ready to 20 over into
the boiling waters below A dumb horror
rested over the crowd of startled loggers on
shore.
A pallid- checked girl, with streaming
hair, reached the waters edge and stood
with ouistretched hands appealing to strong
men for help. No one moved.
. Are you all towards ~ she cried, facing
the multitude. Brawny men with red
shirts were there, but Zone moved at the
appeal from the girls blanched lips.
No use, miss" said River Dan "That
ar jam won't last many minnits. Nobody
kin help em. They're goners, sure"
Take yonder canoe and 90 to the res
cue.n
Janet would have rushed to the rescue
herself had not strong arms held her back
Weak, moaning, almost fainting, the Girl
pleaded in vain
No use; boat would go over in a jiffy.
Them fellers can't be saved"
There is one chance in hundred"
A low voice uttered the words. and Janet
saw a slender form glide past toward q
small Indian canoe that rested on the bank.
About the mans arm was coil of rope.
When the man gained the foaming edge of
the water he swung his arms aloft and
cried:
Some OF you take an end Of this rope.
] am going to rescue these man, if posi-
ble.'
Goodness it's the little bookkeeper.n
He'll drown, sure"
But Mark Farnham needed not the COM
ments of the crowd. He seemed to realize
that time was precious, and at once pushed
the light ashen canoe into the river Seiz-
ing the paddle and fixing the rope SO that
it would pay ont from between his knees,
the little hoekkeeper began padding up the
stream. Strong hands had grasped the end
of the rope, and it began paying out rap
idly, when Farnham turned and shot rap
idly into the center of the stream.
He-managed 50 that the canoe came
down on the upper side of the swaving
jam. Instantly the canoe was sucked un-
der and lost, but Farnham sprang to the
surface of the logs, rope in hand and
quickly fastened one end to an upright log.
Quick, Mr.. Lyon There's no time to
loose
The miil-owner demonstrated and urged
the baokkeeper TO 20 ahead; this he alb
solutely refused to do.
Mr.. Lyons. went forward. crashed the
rope and passed, hand over hand to the
shore. a great shout went up when he
landed.
Next came Dick Wellington He was
heavy, and the rope sagged badly. Farm
ham felt the jam trelnble at every surge of
the foreman's body. Suddenly the log to
which the rope was attached gave way and
fell. Instantly the rope flew far out into
the stream. Dick was near the shore and
was rescued.
The little bookkeeper stood alone on the
jam, which was now tumbling aud threat
ening to fall to pieces. Farnham's- face
blanched. He seemed to realize that he
was doomed.
Another canoe, quick! Go back. Dick
Wellington, and save Mr.. Farnhami'
1t was Janet who spoke, but the dripping
Apollo turned away with shudder
q Not for farm would risk my life ont
yonder again"
He was rot called upon to do SO.
A great crash and roar sickened the
crowd on shore. The jam, with its lone
occupant, had disappeared
The man is past all earthly help" II
was Dr. Could who uttered the words as
he rose from contemplating the battered,
bleeding form on the sand
From below the dam the little bookkeep-
er had been dragged from the river, bleed
ing and insensible. He lay at the feet OF
Janet Lyon. who bent with streaming eyes
above the dripping body
Speak to me. Mark, speak" mcaned
the belle. The white lids Enclosed and q
pair of blue eyes looked into the face of the
kneeling girl. A smile touched the purple
lips.
II saved him = Dick Wellington j
knew you loved hinl /. was for your
sake, Janet. | know you will forgive me
for being coward now"
On, Mark Mark T.
A faint tremor moved his frame as the
girl attempted TO raise the little book
= - a