A cloudburst in the China
Creek district followed by continued heavy rains was responsible for
the increased water. The papers mentioned this only incidentally,
and in explanation. Their columns were filled with an account of
the big log jam that had formed above the iron railroad bridge. The
planing mill's booms had given way under pressure and the contents
had piled down stream against the buttresses. Before steps could be
taken to clear the way, the head of the drive, hurried by the excess
water, had piled in on top. Immediately a jam formed, increasing in
weight each moment, until practically the entire third section had
piled up back of the bridge.
The papers occupied themselves with the picturesque side of the
affair. None expressed any anxiety as to the bridge. It was a new
structure, each of whose bents weighed over a hundred tons. A fall
of a few inches only would suffice to lock the jam solidly, thus
relieving whatever pressure the mass exerted against the iron
bridge. That the water would shortly go down was of course
inevitable at this time of year. It would be a big jam for the
rivermen to break, however.
"Do you think you'll go up there?" asked North.
Orde shook his head.
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