Suddenly the champion jammed his spikes down hard, and Donaldson tottered. Before he could recover his balance Grant jumped into the air. Instantly his end of the log rose, and that on which his opponent swayed sank—not much, but enough to do the trick—and Donaldson went over backward into the river. Jake was still champion, for he landed squarely on top of the log and waved his hand to the cheering crowd.
“I wouldn’t have missed that for anything,” said Ed, when he had ceased cheering.
“Nor I,” declared George. “Say, we’ll try that some time, Ed. What do you call it, Ben?”
“Birling,” explained the guide.
The cook, who with his crew had waited to see the outcome of the contest, approached Ben and offered to take them back in the boat. That was certainly better than “hiking,” and presently they were gliding swiftly down the river.
That night there was less frolicking in the bunk-house. The first day’s river work had tired the men, and they sat about quietly smoking and telling yarns and singing a few lumbermen’s songs before they turned in.
Next morning they paddled their canoe some distance down-river to see a big restraining boom. They were obliged to dodge floating logs, which dotted the river as far as they could see. A collision would have smashed their light craft. However, Ben kept safely out of the way, and, searching the water far in advance, he chose open channels, down which he piloted them in safety.
They saw many logs which had grounded along the shore, but they learned that these would be all found and set afloat by the “reardrive” men, who followed the last of the logs down the river for that purpose. Occasionally they passed members of the river patrol, who stood on the banks and waved to them as they floated by. Ben pointed out several bark shanties, or lean-tos, in which these men sheltered themselves until the drive was over.
Then, at a narrow place in the river, they saw a great jagged pile of logs. Others were constantly crashing into it and momentarily adding to the tangle.
“There’s a jam, and a nasty one!” said Ben, carefully working the canoe toward shore. “Wonder if any one is about?”