It was a hard lift, but by exerting all their strength they were able to move the log enough to permit Jean to pull his foot out. Fortunately, except for a little skin rubbed off in his efforts to get the foot free, the man was uninjured.
“You save my life one more time, oui,” the Frenchman said soberly, as they made their way to the shore. “I, Jean Larue, never forgeet heem. Sometime I pay you back, oui.”
CHAPTER V
BOB AND JACK RECEIVE SOME NEWS
In spite of the protests of both Bob and Jack that he wait until they could get some new cells, Jean got another fuse from the scow and soon he was again speeding for the shore, leaving the sputtering fuse behind him. This time he reached the bank in safety, and a moment later the explosion came, with a roar which shook the earth beneath their feet. It seemed to the boys as though a mighty hand was tearing the huge logs apart. Breathlessly they waited to see what the result of the blast would be.
“Hurrah, she’s moving,” Jack shouted a moment later. “If only they don’t get caught again.”
The blast, however, had been placed at the right point, and soon the entire drive was again in motion.
About three miles farther down the river was the first of their camps, where they were to spend the night. These camps are large, low structures, built of unpeeled logs and fitted with many bunks and equipment for preparing meals. They are situated at intervals of eight or ten miles and are owned and used by all the different companies which are engaged in the logging industry along the Kennebec and its tributaries.
From this point the logs are left much to themselves to make their way down the river. The drivers follow after and keep a close watch along the banks for stray logs which have caught and been left behind. Except in case of a jam the main drive is always ahead of the men.
It was nearly dark when they reached the camp, and they were all tired from the strenuous work of the day. A roaring fire was soon sending its grateful heat through the room and in less than an hour the cook gave the welcome signal that supper was ready. If any of my readers want to see men really consume food, let him visit the camp of a crew of river drivers.
“Gee, it looks as though Sam had been getting supper for eighty men instead of eight,” Jack declared, as he drew his chair up to the table.