By quick and skilful
work they succeeded in keeping the logs in motion. A large
proportion of the timbers found their way into the bayou. Those
that continued on down the river could hardly have much effect on
the jam.
The work was breathless in its speed. From one to another sweat-
bathed, panting man the logs were handed on. As yet only the
advance of the big jam had arrived at the dredged channel.
Orde looked about him and realised this.
"We can't keep this up when the main body hits us," he panted to his
neighbour, Jim Denning. "We'll have to do some more pile-driver
work."
He made a rapid excursion to the boom camp, whence he returned with
thirty or forty of the men who had given up work on the jam below.
"Here, boys," said he, "you can at least keep these logs moving in
this channel for a couple of hours. This isn't dangerous."
He spoke quite without sarcastic intent; but the rivermen, already
over their first panic, looked at each other a trifle shamefacedly.
"I'll tie into her wherever you say," said one big fellow. "If you
fellows are going back to the jam, I'm with you."
Two or three more volunteered. The remainder said nothing, but in
silence took charge of the dredged channel.
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