The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1910-01-19

p mile, save ln 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 Or 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. Rut 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
Days last years drive.
''This fellow drifted 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
us"
swell, where are theyT'
"Don't know"
"Bring him over and let's hear the
story said Orde.
Its straight, Mr.. Orde." said the
cook, approaching. There's big crew
brought in from the Saginaw waters to
do you up. They're supposed to be
Sver 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
a forty up there, and it amt more'n
half cut anyway"
81 didn't know he owned any"
"Yes, sir He bought that little
Johnson piece last winter"
"Is he breaking out his rollways be
Iow?" Orde asked Denning.
| mo, SIR struck In Charlie, "he
amt"
"How do you happen to be so wiser
inquired orde.
WELL" explained Charlie, when
got back from the woods last week /
just sort of happened into McNeill's
place. I wasn't drinkin' a dropr' 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 at 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. Mcneil he agreed to get a
gang of bad ones from the Saginaw
TO run in on the river. And McNeill
said, That's all right about the cash,
Dir. Heinzman. but been figgerin' on
gettin' even with Orde for some my
self He's payin them S4 day.
Now. who'd pay that fer just river
work p
Orde nodded at Jim Denning.
Hold on. Charlie" said he. "Why
are you giving all This away If you
were working for Heinzman:"
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 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 do?" asked Orde.
Well said Denning slowly and
with a certain grim joy. II don't bet
those Saginaw river pigs are any more
two listed than the. boys on this river.
I'd go up and clean EN- out
Won't do" negatived Orde briefly.
I'm 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 ND
sure.
1T 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"
Talking Denning snorted. "You
might as well whistle down the draft
pipe Of hades! They'll XIII you. surer'
I'm scared. I'm willing to admit it.
But don't see what else to do. or
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 iii be buried SO deep
never win dig myself out. No; I've
got to 60"
A a.