Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 5, 2025
Porcupine Jim, Bruce knew, had had some experience, so there was no good reason why he should not let them go since they were anxious. "I've engaged the front sweepman for the other two boats," Bruce said finally, "but if you and Jim want to take a hind sweep each and will promise to obey orders I guess there's no objection."
The barge was leaping toward it as though drawn by the invisible force of some great suction pump. The hind sweepman gripped the handle of the sweep until his knuckles went white and Bruce over his shoulder watched the wild water with a jaw set and rigid.
"But if you see I'm in trouble, follow Saunders, who's second. And, Jim, do exactly as Smaltz tells you you'll be on the hind sweep in the third boat with him." In addition to a head and hind sweepman each barge carried a bailer, for there were rapids where at any stage of the water a boat partially filled.
But he did, though he skimmed the wide-mouthed well so close that the bailer stared into its dark depths with bulging eyes. The boat leaped in the spray below, but the worst was passed and Bruce and his hind sweepman exchanged the swift smile of satisfaction which men have for each other at such a time. "Keep her steady straight away."
He had not dared yet to lift his eyes to look behind save for that one glance. "My God! they're comin' right together!" The sharp cry from the hind sweepman made him turn. They had rounded the ledge abreast and Smaltz's boat inside was crowding Saunders hard.
Not since he had raged at "Slim" had Bruce been so furious, but there was little time to indulge his temper for there was now an extra boat to build upon which he must trust Smaltz as front sweepman.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking