It may be
remarked here, as well as later, that the "terrors of the Saginaw"
stayed with the drive to its finish, and proved reliable and
tractable in every particular. 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. When the lowermost log on the river side was
teased and pried out, the upper tiers were apt to cascade down with
a roar, a crash, and a splash. The man who had done the prying had
to be very quick-eyed, very cool, and very agile to avoid being
buried under the tons of timber that rushed down on him. Only the
most reliable men were permitted at this initial breaking down.
Afterwards the crew rolled in what logs remained.
The Rough Red's enormous strength, dare-devil spirit, and nimbleness
of body made him invaluable at this dangerous work. Orde, too,
often took a hand in some of the more ticklish situations. In old
days, before he had attained the position of responsibility that
raised the value of his time beyond manual work, he had been one of
the best men on the river at breaking bank rollways.
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