For a moment the mass hung in the balance, and then rose an inch. Again they hove it upward before their muscles could relax, and now its weight began to rest upon the lower logs. Another thrust rolled it slowly forward—and the danger was past.
Though the incident was not of an unusual character, Jimmy sat down limply in the wet fern to recover breath, and he was still resting when the foreman came up and beckoned him.
“We’ll not want you and your partner after to-night,” he said abruptly.
Jimmy looked at him in surprise.
“As you haven’t found any fault with us, might one ask the reason?”
“You might; but I can’t tell you. There it is—you’re fired. I’ve got my orders.”
The Canadian is often laconic, and Jimmy nodded.
“Very well,” he said; “we’ll go now. This isn’t a luxurious job.”
“As you like,” replied the foreman. “The boss’s clerk is in the shack; I’ll give him your time.”
Jimmy followed him to the office and drew his pay, but the clerk seemed unable to explain his dismissal.