The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-11-29
By Stewart

Some tiers would De stucK together by ice and considerable prying and heav- ing were necessary fin order to crack them apart. But forty men soon had the river full. Orde detailed some six or eight to drop below in order that the river might run clear to the next section, where the next crew would take up the task. These men walked to the edges of the rollway, rolled a log apiece into the water, stepped aboard. leaned against their peavies and were swept away by the swift current The logs on which they stood whirled in the eddies. caromed against other timbers, slackened speed, shot away Never did the riders alter their poses of easy equilibrium
 The evening of the second day Orde received visit from Jim Denning, foreman of the next section below, bringing with him Charlie. the cook of Daly's last years drive.
 s.This fellow drifted in tonight two days late after a drunk, and he tells a mighty queer story" said Denning. He says a crew of sixty bad men from the Saginaw have been sent in by Heinzman just to fight and annoy us."
 -wen. where.are theyT /
 Don't know"
 eBring him over and let's hear the story" said Orde.
 Its straight, MT. orie.- said the cook, approaching There's big crew brought fin from the Saginaw waters to do you up. They're supposed to be over here to run his drive, but really they's goin' to fight and raise h., for why would he want sixty men to break out them little rollways of his'n up at the headwaters7 He only owns forty up there, and it ain't more'n half cut anyway" l~
 @I didn't know he owned any"
 "Yes, sir. He bought that little Johnson piece last winter
 ~Is he breaking out his rollways be- lowg' Orde asked Denning.
 ..No, sir.- struck in Charlie, ''he ain't.-
 How do you happen to be so wiser inquired Orde.
 awen.- explained Charlie, when got back from the woods last week I just sort of happened into McNeilI's place. wasn't drinkin' a dropw he cried virtuously in answer to Orde's smile
 s.Of course not said Orde sT was just thinking of the last time we were in there together
 That's just itr- cried Charlie They was always sore at you about that Well, in blew old man Heinzman and AIcNeiil himself just lay low and heard their talk. They didn't see me, so they opened her up wide.-
 'swhat did you shearg'
 Well. McNeill he agreed to get gang of bad ones from the Saginaw to run in on the river. And McNein said, That's all right about the cash. Mir Heinzman, but been hggerfn' on gettin' even with Orde for-some my self He's payin' them S4 a day. Now. who'd pay that fer just river work r'
 Oroe nodded at Jim Denning-
 Hold on, Charlien said he. ssWhy are you giving all this away if you were working for Heinzman~
 'Tm workin' for you now" replied Charlie with dignity. And, besides, you helped me out once yourself
 '1f that crews been sent in there it means only one thing at that end of the line" said Orde
 Sure They're sent up to waste out the water in the reservoir and hang this end of the drive" replied Denning.
 ''What would you doT, asked Orde.
 Well" said Denning slowly and with a certain grim joy, q don't bet those Saginaw river pigs are any more two listed than the boys on this river. I'd go up and clean 'em out.-
 Wont do." negatived Orde briefly. Tn the first place. as you know very well. we're short handed now. and we can't spare the men from the work. In the second place, we'd hang up sure
 Tt isn't fair game Delay will hang us Taking men off the work will hang us. I've got to see what can be done by talking to them"
 'Taikingr' Denning snorted. You might as well whistle down the draft pipe of hades. They'll kIl you. surer'
 I'm scared Pm willing to admit 1t. But 1 don't see what else to do. Of course he's got no rights. but what good does that do us after our water is gone? And. JIm, my son, if we hang this drive I'll be buried so deep I never will dig myself out. No; I've got to go.''
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