“All set?” Jean called.
“Oui?”
“Yes.”
“Then go.”
For a moment neither man moved, each waiting for the other to open the battle. Then Skeets, standing sideways, began to revolve the log with his feet. Faster and faster the log turned until it seemed that both men were running at the top of their speed.
“My gracious, but I never thought a log could roll so fast,” Rex gasped as he looked on fascinated at the sight.
“Wait till they really get to going,” Jack said, and Rex gasped again.
It had seemed to him that they could not possibly make the log roll any faster, but he was soon to learn that it was not only possible but that they could do it. Faster and faster it rolled until it seemed to Rex that the men’s feet failed to touch the log at all.
Then, suddenly, Skeets stopped and threw all his weight to the front. The log stopped, as it seemed to Rex, almost at once. Baptiste had, however, been expecting just that move and so was on his guard and did not have to exert himself unduly to keep his balance. Having failed in his first attempt, Skeets waited, hoping that Baptiste would take the lead. But he seemed loath to do it and after a moment or two had passed and some of the men had begun to shout and urge them to action, Skeets again began to roll. This time he did not roll as fast as before, and both Bob and Jack knew that he had something else in mind.
“Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll see something in about a minute,” Bob whispered to Rex.