The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-01-05


weather beaten. SCARED in numerous
fights or by the backwoods scourge Of
smallpox, compact, muscular, fearless. !
loyal, outspoken and free to criticise-l
in short. men to do great things under
a strong leader. The breaking Of the
rollways began. The 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
mile, save in narrow channel left |
down through the middle to allow for
some flow of water; the banks were
piled with them, side on, ready to roll
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
log apiece into the water. stepped
aboard. leaned against their peavies
and We're 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.
"This fellow drifted in tonight two
Gays late after a drunk, and he tells
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"
"Well. where are they?"
"Don't know
Bring him over and let's hear the
story said Orde.
Its straight. Mr.. Orde." said til
cook. approaching. There's big crew
brought in from the Saginaw waters to
do you up. They supposed to be
over here to run his drive, but really
they's goin' to fight and raise b.. for
why would he want sixty men to
break out them little rollways of hisn
up at the headwaters? He only owns
u forty up there, and it amt moren
half cut anyway"
II didn't know he owned any,"
"Yes, sir. He bought that little
johnson piece last winter"
us he breaking out his rollways be
low?" Orde asked Denning.
mo. sir" struck in Charlie. "he
amt"
How do you happen to be so wise?''
inquired Orde.
WELL" explained Charlie, when
got back from the woods last week
just sort of happened into McNeill's
place. wasn't drinkin' drop" he
cried virtuously in answer to Orde's
smile
"Of course not" said Orde. 81 was
just thinking Of the last time we were
in there together
That's just it!' cried Charlie They
was always sore Mt you about that
Well, in blew old man Heinzman and
Mcneil 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 8
gang of bad ones from the Saginaw
to run in on the river. And Mcneil
said, That's all right about the cash
Mr.. Heinzman, but been figgerin' OF
gettin' even with Orde for some my
SELF He's payin' them 81 day
Now. who'd pay that fer just rive,
work p
Orde nodded at Jim Denning.
Hold on. Charlie" said he. "Wh1
are you giving all this away If yor
were working for Heinzman?
I'm workin' for you now" repliaf
Charlie with dignity. "And, besides
you helped me out once YOURSELF"
IF that crews been sent in there Il
means only one thing at that end O,
the line" said Orde.
Sure. They're sent up to waste on,
the water in the reservoir and HANG
this end Of the drive" replied Dennine
What would you do?" asked Orde
WELL" said Denning SLOWLY and
with certain grim Joy. ~ don't be,
those Saginaw river pigs are anv more
two listed than the boys on this river
I'd go up aid clean 'em out"
won't do" negatived Orde briefly
"ln the first place. as you know YER,
well. we're short handed now and VIC
can't spare the men from tho work
In the second place. we'd hang ur
sure.
ut isn't fair game. Delay will
hang US. Taking men or the work
will hang us. I've got to see what car
be done by talking to them"
Talking" Denning snorted. "Yor
might as well whistle down the draft
pipe of hades! They'll KIN you, sure!'
I'm scared. I'm willing to admit it
But l don't see what else to do. OF