Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-03-01

StoC tanSh ehV SoatAe~s
to break the rollways belonging to
Carlin. which would be piled on the
bank. Thus he could get to work i'm
mediately at the breakup and with
out waiting for some one else. The
lumber in Carlin's drive would keep
the men below busy until the other
owners should also have put their
seasons cut afloat.
The ice went out early. When the
river ran clear In its lower reaches he
took his rear crew to Carlin's rollways.
This crew was forty In number,
hard bitten, tough band Of veterans,
weather beaten, SCARED in numerous
fights or by the backwoods scourge Of
smallpox, compact, muscular, fearless.
loyal, outspoken and free to criticise-
In short, men to do great things under
a strong leader. The breaking Of the
rollways began. rhe logs had been
hauled to the river, where they were
banked In piles twenty and even
thirty feet in height. The bed Of the
stream itself was filed with them for
n mile SAY. IA narrow channel left
down through the l. 'ddle to allow for
some flow Of water; the DaISss were
piled with them, side on, ready to rv.s
down at the urging Of the men.
First the entire crew by means Of its
peavies rolled the lower logs into the
current to be rapidly borne away.
Some tiers would be stuck together by
ice and considerable prying and heav-
ing were necessary In 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 a visit from Jim Denning.
foreman Of the next section below,
bringing with him Charlie. the cook of
Days last years drive.
"This fellow drlsed in tonight two
days late after drunk, and he tells
a mighty queer story" said Denning.
"He says crew Of sixty bad men
from the Saginaw have been sent in
by Heinzman just to fight and annoy
u.s."
"Well, where are they"
"Don't know"
Bring him over and let's hear the
story" said Orde.
"Its straight, Mr.. 0rde," said the
cook. approaching There's big crew
brought In from the Saginaw waters to
do you up. They're supposed to be
pver 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 headwaters? He only owns
n forty up there, and 1t amt more'n
half cut anyway"
"I didn't know he owned any,"
"Yes, sir. He bought that little
Johnson piece last winter"
rs he breaking out his rollways be-
low?" Orde asked Denning.
mo, SIR" struck In Charlie, "he
Sin't."
How do you happen to be so wise"
inquired Orde.
"Well," explained Charlie. when
got back from the woods last week l
lust sort of happened into McNeilPs
place. I wasn't drinkin' a drop" he
cried virtuously In answer to orde's
smile.
"of course not" said orde. "I was
Just thinking Of the last time we were
In there together"
That's Just it, cried Charlie. They
was always sore at you about that.
Well, In blew old man Heinzman and
McNeill himself. just lay low and
heard their talk They didn't see me,
so they opened her up wide"
"What did you hear"
"Well, McNeill he agreed to get a
gang of bad ones from the Saginaw
10 run In on the river. And McNeill
said, That's all right about the cash,
Mr.. Heinzman, but been fggerin' on
gettin' even with Orde for some my
SELF He's payin' them 81 a day
Now, who'd pay that fer just river
work"
Orde nodded at Jim Denning.
Hold on, Charlie" said he. "Why
are you giving all this away II you
were working for He!nzman"
"I'm workin' for you now," replied
Charlie with dignity. And, besides,
you helped me out once yourself"
"If that crews been sent In there II
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 do" asked Orde.
"Well," said Denning slowly and
with certain grim Joy, II don't bet
those Saginaw river pigs are any more
two fsted than the boys on this river
I'd go up and clean 'em out"
won't do" negatived Orde briefly
"In 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.
"It isn't a 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
Talking" Denning snorted. You
might as we'll whistle down the draft
pipe Of hades! They'll kill you, sure'
I'm scared. Pm willing to admit It
But I don't see what else to do. OF
course he's got no rights. but wha1
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
never will dig myself out. No; Iv'
to