Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-07
CHAPTER VI.

week. 1t became necessary tc
begin on section IA. which lay
two miles to the east. In that direction
the character of the country changed
somewhat.
The pine there grew thick on isolated
ISLANDS" Of not more than an acre OF
40 in cxtent-little knobs rising from
the level OF marsh. In ordinary con
ditions nothing would have been easier
than to have plowed roads across the
frozen surface of this marsh. The pc
culiar state Of the weather interposed
tremendous difficulties.
The early part of autumn had beer
characterized by heavy snowfall i'm
mediately after series of mild days
A warm blanket of some thickness
thus overlaid the earth. effectually pre-
venting the freezing which subsequent
cold weather would have caused. AL
the season Railway had contcnded will
this condition. Even in the woods
muddy swamp and spring holes caused
endless difficulty and nccessitated 4
great deal of "corduroying," or the lay
ing Of poles side by side to form ar
artificial bottom. Here in the oper
some six inches of water and unlimit
cd mud awaited the first horse tina
should break through the layer of snow
and thin ice. Between each pair Of is
lands road had to be "tramped."
Thorpe and the rest were put Mt Thu
disagreeable 6b. All day long they
had to walk mechanically back and
forth on dia.onals between the marks
set by Railway with his snowshoes
Early in the morning their feet were
wet by icy water, for even the light
weight of a man sometimes broke the
frozen skin of the marsh. by night
road of trampled SHOW of greater OF
less strength was marked out across
the eXpanse. Thus the blanket was
thrown back from the warm earth
and thus the cold was given chance
at the water beneath. In a day or sc
the road would bear Il horse. A bridge
of ice had been artificially constructed
on either side of which lay unsoundcd
depths. This road was indicated by
row of frs stuck in the snow on
either side.
1t was very cold. All day long the
restless wind swept across the shiver
ing surface of the plains and tore
around the corners of the islands. The
big woods are as good as an overcoat
The Overcoat had been taken away.
When the lunch sleigh arrived the
men huddled shivcring in the lee OF
one OF the knobs and tried to eat with
benumbed fingers before fire that
was but a mOckery. Often it was near.
ly dark before their work warmed
them again. All of the sideways had
10 be placed on the edges Of the is.
lands themselves. and the logs had 10
be travoyed over the steep little knobs
A single misstep out on to the plain
meant mired horse. Three times
heavy SHOWS obliterated the roads, Sc
that they had to be plowed out before
the men could 60 to work again. II
was a struggle.
Railway was evidently worried. He
often paused before gang to inquire
how they We're making it." He seem
ed afraid they might wish TO quit
which was indeed the case, but ht
should never have taken before then
any attitude but that of absolute con
fidence in their intentions. His anx
iety was natural, however He re
allied the absolute necessity of skid
ding and hauling this job before th'
heavy choking SHOWS Of the latter par
of January should make it impossible
to keep the roads open. SO insisten
was this necessity that he had seizet
the first respite in the phenomena
snowfall OF the early autumn to begin
work The cutting in the woods coul'
wait.
Left to themselves probably the mel
would never have dreamed Of Objcctini
to whatever privations the task car
ried with it. Railways anxiety 70
their comfort, however, caused then
finally to imagine that perhaps the.
might have some just grounds for com
plant after all. That is a great trai
of the lumber jack.
But Dyer. the scaler, finally caused
the outbreak. Dyer was an cfficien
enough man in his way, but he love'
his own ease His habit was to stay il
his bunk of mornings until well afte
daylight. To this there could be m
objection except on the part of tn
cook, who was supposed to attend L
his business himself. for the scalcr wa
active in his work when once he bcgal
It and could keep up with the skidding
But now he displayed Il strong antipa
thy to the north wind on the plains.
~ don't pose for no tough son of
gum" said he TO Railway. And w
got some respect for my ears and feet
She'll warm up a little by tomorrow
and perhaps the wind II die cal
catch up to you fellows by hustling
little, so | guess III stay III and worl
on the books today"
"All right" Railway asscnted, a lii
tic doubtfully.
This happened perhaps two days on
of the week. Finally Dyer hung out
thermometer, which he used to consult
The men saw it and consulted it toe
At once they felt much colder.
"She was stan 10 below" sputtere
Baptiste Teller, the Frenchman VIII
played the fiddle. He freeze t'rou I
hees eensidc. Dat is too cole for max
in de work"
"Them plains is sure a holy fright,
assented Purdy.
9Th old man knows II himself,
agreed big Nolan.
"Did you see him rammin' aroun
yesterday askn' us If we found her to
cOldY lie knows very we'll he Ougl