I've got a scheme in my head that I think may
work out big for us both."
"Well," assented Orde reservedly, "in that case--I'm foreman on this
drive because my outfit went kerplunk two years ago, and I'm making
a fresh go at it."
"Failed?" inquired Newmark.
"Partner skedaddled," replied Orde. "Now, if you're satisfied with
my family history, suppose you tell me what the devil you're driving
at."
He was plainly restive under the cross-examination to which he had
been subjected.
"Look here," said Newmark, abruptly changing the subject, "you know
that rapids up river flanked by shallows, where the logs are always
going aground?"
"I do," replied Orde, still grim.
"Well, why wouldn't it help to put a string of piers down both
sides, with booms between them to hold the logs in the deeper
water?"
"It would," said Orde.
"Why isn't it done, then?"
"Who would do it?" countered Orde, leaning back more easily in the
interest of this new discussion. "If Daly did it, for instance,
then all the rest of the drivers would get the advantage of it for
nothing."
"Get them to pay their share."
Orde grinned. "I'd like to see you get any three men to agree to
anything on this river."
"And a sort of dam would help at that Spruce Rapids?"
"Sure! If you improved the river for driving, she'd be easier to
drive.
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