["Want a job, eh?"]
[It leaped forward with lowered antlers directly for the young lumberman.]
["Jump! Don't wait! Jump!" yelled Owen.]
["A bear!" cried Dale.]
[Logs rose and fell in front and on each side of them.]
["Have ye got 'em?" he demanded, in a shrill voice.]
["Hurrah! it's down!" cried Dale.]
[Ulmer Balasco shook his fist in the young lumberman's face.]

TWO YOUNG LUMBERMEN


CHAPTER I

A TALK ABOUT EMPLOYMENT

"Do you mean to tell me that Hickley said he wouldn't send over that lot of logs I ordered last week?"

"That is what he said, Mr. Larson. He is short himself, and said he told you he thought he couldn't spare them. Not a drive has come down the river for three weeks."

"I know that, Bradford." John Larson, the owner of the Enterprise Lumber Mill, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It's hard luck. I guess I'll have to shut down after all. And I was calculating to keep you all working."

The face of Dale Bradford became as serious as that of his employer. "How soon will you close up the mill?" he asked after a pause.