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Their business was to keep the stream free in order that the constantly increasing supply from the rollways might not fill up the river. It was not an easy business, nor a very safe. As the "jam" strung out over more and more of the river, the jam crew was constantly recruited from the men on the rollways.
I'd be only too glad to get rid of the nuisance of it, let alone get it done cheaper. If you'll draw up your contract and bring it in here, I'll sign it. I suppose you'll break out the rollways?" "No," said Orde; "we hadn't thought of doing more than the driving and distributing. You'll have to deliver the logs in the river.
"Vat is this?" he inquired, a new crispness in his voice. "You tolt me," he accused Orde, "dot you were not brepared to break out the rollways. You tolt me you would egspect me to do that for myself." "Certainly," agreed Orde. "Vell, why do you put in this?" demanded Heinzman, reading from the paper in his hand.
They piled off the train at Sawyer's, stamped their feet on the board platform of the station, shouldered their "turkeys," and straggled off down the tote-road. It was an eighteen-mile walk in. The ground had loosened its frost. The footing was ankle-deep in mud and snow-water. Next morning, bright and early, the breaking of the rollways began.
Then, when the thaws come in the spring, these piles are broken down and set afloat in the river." "I see," said Newmark. "Well, but why shouldn't we undertake that part of it? I should think that would he more the job of the river-drivers." "It would hold back our drive too much to have to stop and break rollways," explained Orde.
The air was filled with the heavy rumble of rolling logs as other rollways tore loose at the swift blows of the axes, where, at the crack of toggle-pins, men leaped from in front of the rolling, crushing death; and the surface of the river became black with bucking, pitching logs which shot to the opposite bank.
"That is merely to protect ourselves," struck in Newmark. "But," exploded Heinzman, his face purpling, "a dollar a tousand is absurd!" "Of course it is," agreed Newmark. "We expect it to be. But also we expect you to break out your own rollways in time. It is intended as a penalty in case you don't." "I vill not stand for such foolishness," pounded Heinzman on the arm of his chair.
Orde scattered them judiciously, so there was no friction with the local men. The Rough Red he retained on the rear. Here the breaking of the rollways had reached a stage more exciting both to onlooker and participant than the mere opening of the river channel. Huge stacks of logs piled sidewise to the bank lined the stream for miles.
The millions along the bank on section nine must be cut and travoyed directly to the rollways. It was a shame that the necessity should arise. From section nine Thorpe had hoped to lighten the expenses when finally he should begin operations on the distant and inaccessible headwaters of French Creek. Now there was no help for it.
He leaped ashore and crashed through the intervening underbrush in great bounds, closely followed by the light-footed Jeanne. They gained the top, and while rushing along the rollways could hear Moncrossen roaring his orders could catch the words that foamed from his lips amid volleys of crashing oaths. "Cut them toggles! Let 'em go! Let 'em go! Damn you! Foul that drive!
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