"Marsh,
tow the pile-driver up there."
He caused a heavy line to be run from a tree, situated around the
bend down stream, to the stern of the driver.
"Now if you have to," he told North, who had charge, "let go all
holds, and the line will probably swing you around out of danger.
We on the tug will get out as best we can."
The opening was to be closed by piles driven in groups of sixteen
bound together by chains. The clumps were connected one to the
other by a system of boom logs and ropes to interpose a continuous
barrier. The pile-driver placed the clumps; while the tug attended
to the connecting defences.
"Now, boys," said Orde as his last word, "if she starts to go, save
yourselves the best way you can. Never mind the driver. STAY ON
TOP!"
Slowly the tug and her consort nosed up through the boiling water.
"She's rising already," said Orde to Marsh, watching the water
around the piles.
"Yes, and that jam's going out before many minutes," supplemented
the tugboat captain grimly.
Both these statements were only too true. Although not fifteen
minutes before, the jam had lain locked in perfect safety, now the
slight rise of the waters had lifted and loosened the mass until it
rose fairly on the quiver.
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