Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-07-16

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the crowning sminence where the Wild
beauty Of the forest invitss moments
.repose after the long. fstlgulng climb OF
the indicating hillside.
As they ecntinusd on their way the
hardwood growth gradually changed 10
evergreen forest once more. SOFT, nneky
places in The road grew more frequent.
The hsmloek and spruce gave place 10
cedar and aldars as the rosd led On into
lowlsnd district. The little party felt
that they we're now in tbs valley that
borders Crocodile lake. Ten minatss
more snd they stepped forth into an old
camping ground. where for many yesrs
the drivers tents he'd been pitched each
spring, bat now no longer used because OF
e large and spacious camp that bad been
lately crested on the opposite side OF the
river by the driving corporation for the
better accommodation OF lie employees.
The little eompsny turned Into we'll
woyn foot path. and q moment later the
heavy timhers OF the framework OF Croco-
die pond dam hove into Iview. The Lake
Itself stretched far away TO the right,
heavily wooded on either eide.
A crew OF men was al work npon the
dam. taking oct SONS Of the old tisnbers
and replacing them With new, putting
both dam and sluicewsys into condition
tor the spring drive Of iamber that would
soon be driven through. Gravel vas being
dumped upon the esrthen enbsnkmeuts
on either side Of the Tates TO strengthen
the dam snd prevent the water from
undermining the framework. Crest care
nus, be exercised to proven; such ander-
mining, Tor the enormous pressure Of the
water, when at high wster mark. b s1ch
that, having forced passage tor a leak,
however slight, the whole structure l. in
gravest danger nntH the leak is STOPPED.
The wings OF the ordinary dam In the
hackwoods are constructed OF round
cedsr splling set upon sort Of skeleton
frausework, and ro1ghiy covered with
cart b and gravel. when The water once
gains an sgress through this barrier. be-
ginning. even In 9 slight drihhle. wili
soon swell into a torrent, drawing
through tbs issors the sand and gravel
around II unsii the poles are laid bare and
the framework 10 undermined TO such an
extent that. under the enormous strain
and suction. the darn may go out bodily,
losing all the hacked up water Of months.
and banging up he drives for that sea-
son. Nor IL this usnaliy the extent Of
damages In such an event. Tbs great
food OF water rushing down the river
iaio the aIfeaoy swollen reservoirs 81
ether dams below, may sweep them siso,
In spite Of any human sgepcy that can be
hroaxht TO hesr upon the threatened
structures. THUS the safety of The entire
erive often depends apon the wstrhfal
care of ons man.
After ps1sing TO chat Tor a fsw min
nses With the workmen, oar little band
crossed the bare striu9rrs OF the huik-
head Of the dam and elm bed The steep
smh&nkmenf on the opposite side.
This emhansmsnt wss in tie form OF q
marrow ridge, commonly called horse
back. and extended down the river for
some dlsiancc. They followed the driv-
Ing path siong until they rescued the
road that they bad Esit when they took
the path at she camp ground on the other
side Of the river.
The read now led strsight onward anti
they entered the ehip-ilttsred yard Of the
Crocodile pond driving camp. The srss
stage Of their journey WAS over. The
forenoon bad passed.
Here We will leave them until the sushor
feels In tbs mood TO complete the nara
tive OF their adventures ON that day, tor
these were real men And real p.aec~,
sithough treated under fictitious tiiics
II may be also sddsd thst he suthog Was
one Of the youthful members of the party.