“That's what I thought. That's why I brought him up.”
“If that crew's been sent in there, it means only one thing at that end of the line,” said Orde.
“Sure. They're sent up to waste out the water in the reservoir and hang this end of the drive,” replied Denning.
“Correct,” said Orde. “The old skunk knows his own rollways are so far down stream that he's safe, flood water or no flood water.”
A pause ensued, during which the two smoked vigorously.
“What are you going to do about it?” asked Denning at last.
“What would you do?” countered Orde.
“Well,” said Denning slowly, and with a certain grim joy, “I don't bet those Saginaw river-pigs are any more two-fisted than the boys on this river. I'd go up and clean 'em out.”
“Won't do,” negatived Orde briefly. “In the first place, as you know very well, we're short-handed now, and we can't spare the men from the work. In the second place, we'd hang up sure, then; to go up in that wilderness, fifty miles from civilisation, would mean a first-class row of too big a size to handle. Won't do!”
“Suppose you get a lawyer,” suggested Denning sarcastically.