"A fellow can
understand an ordinary spring freshet, and knows about how far it
will go; but these summer floods are so confounded mysterious. I
can't figure out what's struck the old stream, unless they're having
almighty heavy rains up near headwaters."
By three o'clock in the afternoon Jimmy Powers reported a rise since
morning of six inches. The current had proportionately increased in
power.
"Tom," said Orde to the old riverman, "I'm going to send Marsh down
for the pile-drivers and some cable. The barge company has some
fifteen inch manilla."
North laughed.
"What in blazes do you expect to do with that?" he inquired.
"We may need them," Orde stated with conviction. "Everything's safe
enough now; and probably will continue so; but I can't afford to
take chances. If those logs ever break through they'll go on out to
Lake Michigan and there they wouldn't be worth the salvage."
Tom North stared at his principal in surprise.
"That's a mighty long chance," he commented. "Never knew you to
come so near croaking before, Jack."
"If this drive goes out, it surely busts me," replied Orde, "and I'm
not taking even long chances."
Captain Marsh, returning with the SPRITE, brought an evening paper
and news from the telegraph offices.
Pages:
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411