Nevertheless, Orde, in a vast spirit of fun, took
delight in inventing and executing practical jokes of the general
sort just described. For instance, at one spot where he had boomed
the deeper channel from the rocks on either side, he shunted as many
of Heinzman's logs as came by handily through an opening he had made
in the booms. There they grounded on the shallows--more work for
the men following. Many of the logs in charge of the latter,
however, catching the free current, overtook the rear, so that the
number of the "H" logs in the drive was not materially diminished.
At first, as has been hinted, these various tactics had little
effect. One day, however, the chore boy, who had been over to
Spruce Rapids after mail, reported that an additional crew of twenty
had been sent in to Heinzman's drive. This was gratifying.
"We're making him scratch gravel, boys, anyway," said Orde.
The men entered into the spirit of the thing. In fact, their
enthusiasm was almost too exuberant. Orde had constantly to
negative new and ingenious schemes.
"No, boys," said he, "I want to keep on the right side of the law.
We may need it later."
Meanwhile the entire length of the river was busy and excited.
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