I
Thetimewastheyear1872，andtheplaceabendintheriverabovealongpondterminatinginadam。Beyondthisdam，andonaflatlowerthanit，stoodatwo—storymillstructure。Saveforasmall，stump—dottedclearing，andtheroadthatledfromit，allelsewasforest。Hereinthebottom—lands，followingthecourseofthestream，thehardwoodsgrewdense，theiruppermostbranchesjustbeginningtosprayoutinthefirstgreenofspring。Fartherback，wherethehigherlandsarosefromtheswamp，couldbediscernedthegracefulfrondofwhitepinesandhemlock，andthesturdytopsofNorwaysandspruce。
Astrongwindblewupthelengthofthepond。Itruffledthesurfaceofthewater，swoopingdowninfan—shaped，scurryingcat’s—
paws，turningthedark—bluesurfaceasoneturnsthenapofvelvet。
Attheupperendoftheponditevensucceededinraisingquiterespectablewavelets，whichLAPLAPLAPPEDeagerlyagainstabarrieroffloatinglogsthatfilledcompletelythemouthoftheinletriver。Andbehindthisbarrierwereotherlogs，andyetothers，asfarastheeyecouldsee，sothattheentiresurfaceofthestreamwascarpetedbythebrowntimbers。Amancouldhavewalkeddownthemiddleofthatriverasdownahighway。
Onthebank，andinasmallwoods—opening，burnedtwofires，theirsmokeduckingandtwistingunderthebuffetingofthewind。Thefirstofthesefiresoccupiedashallowtrenchdugforitsaccommodation，andwasoverarchedbyarusticframeworkfromwhichhungseveralpails，kettles，andpots。Aninjured—looking，chubbymaninabatteredbrownderbyhatmovedhereandthere。Hedividedhistimebetweentheutensilsandanindifferentyouth——his"cookee。"Theother，andlarger，firecentredarectanglecomposedoftallracks，builtofsaplingsandintendedforthedryingofclothes。Twolargetentsgleamedwhiteamongthetrees。
Aboutthedrying—fireweregatheredthirty—oddmen。Somewerehalf—
recliningbeforetheblaze；otherssatinrowsonlogsdrawncloseforthepurpose；stillotherssquattedlikeIndiansontheirheels，theirhandsthrownforwardtokeepthebalance。Nearlyallweresmokingpipes。
Everyagewasrepresentedinthisgroup，butyoungmenpredominated。
Allworewoollentrousersstuffedintoleatherbootsreachingjusttotheknee。Thesebootswerearmedonthesoleswithrowsofformidablesharpspikesorcaulks，ahalfandsometimeseventhreequartersofaninchinlength。Thetightdriver’sshoeand"stagged"trousershadnotthencomeintouse。Fromthewaistdownthesemenworeallalike，asthoughinauniform，theoutwardsymboloftheircalling。Fromthewaistupwasmorelatitudeofpersonaltaste。Oneyoungfellowsportedabright—colouredMackinawblanketjacket；anotherworearedknitsash，withtasselledends；athird’sfancyrantoabrightbandanaabouthisneck。Head—gear，too，coveredwidevariationsofbroaderornarrowerbrim，ofhigherorlowercrown；andthefacesbeneaththosehatsdifferedaseverywherethehumancountenancediffers。Onlywhentheinspection，passingthegradationsofbroadornarrow，thickorthin，bonyorrounded，restedfinallyontheeyes，wouldtheobserverhavecaughtagainthecaste—markwhichstampedthesemenasbelongingtoadistinctorder，andseparatedthemessentiallyfromothermeninotheroccupations。
Blueandbrownandblackandgraytheseeyeswere，butallsteadyandclearwiththesteadinessandclaritythatcomestothosewhosedailyworkcompelsthemunderpenaltytopaycloseandundeviatingattentiontotheirsurroundings。Thisistrueofsailors，hunters，plainsmen，cowboys，andtugboatcaptains。Itwasespeciallytrueoftheold—fashionedriver—driver，foramisstep，amiscalculation，amoment’sforgetfulnessofthesullenforcesshiftingandchangingabouthimcouldmeanforhimmaimingordestruction。So，finally，tooneofanimaginativebent，theseeyes，likethe"corkboots，"
grewtoseempartoftheuniform，oneofthemarksoftheircaste，theoutwardsymboloftheircalling。
"Blow，yousonofagun！"crieddisgustedlyoneyoungfellowwitharedbandana，apostrophisingthewind。"Iwonderifthere’sANYsideofthisfirethatain’tsmoky！"
"Keepyourhairon，bub，"advisedacalmandgrizzledold—timer。
"There’snevernosmokeontheOTHERsideofthefire——whicheverthathappenstobe。Andasforwind——shejustmakesholidayfortheriver—hogs。"
"Holiday，hell！"snortedtheyoungerman。"WeoughttobedowntoBull’sDambeforenow——"
"AndBull’sDamishalf—waytoRedding，"mockedareptilianandred—
headedgiantonthelog，"andReddingisthehappychildhoodhomeof——"
Theyoungmanleapedtohisfeetandseizedfromapileoftoolsapeavy——adangerousweapon，likeaheavycant—hook，butarmedattheendwithasharpsteelshoe。
"That’saboutenough！"hewarned，raisinghisweapon，hisfacesuffusedandangry。Thered—headedman，quiteunafraid，roseslowlyfromthelogandadvanced，bare—handed，hissmalleyesnarrowedandwatchful。
Butimmediatelyadozenmeninterfered。
"Dryup！"advisedthegrizzledold—timer——TomNorthbyname。"You，Purdy，setdown；andyou，youngsquirt，subside！Ifyou’regoingtohaveructions，why，have’em，butnotondrive。Ifyoudon’tlookout，I’llsetyoubothtorustlingwoodforthedoctor。"
Atthisthreatthebelligerentsdroppedmutteringtotheirplaces。
Thewindcontinuedtoblow，thefirecontinuedtoflareupanddown，themencontinuedtosmoke，exchangingfromtimetotimedesultoryandaimlessremarks。OnlyTomNorthcarriedonaconsecutive，low—
voicedconversationwithanotherofabouthisownage。
"Justthesame，Jim，"hewassaying，"itisalittletoughontheboys——thisnewsluice—gatebusiness。They’vebeensortofexpectin’
achanceforadayortwoatRedding，andnow，ifthissonofagunofawindhangsout，Idon’tknowwhenwe’llmakeher。TheshallowsatBull’swasalwaysbadenough，butthisisworse。"
"Yes，Iexpectedtopickyouup’waybelow，"admittedJim，whose"turkey，"orclothes—bag，athissideproclaimedhimanewcomer。
"Hadquiteatramptofindyou。"
"Thisstretchofslackwaterwasalwaysaterror，"wentonNorth，"andwehadfairlytopike—poleeverystickthroughwhenthewindblew；butnowthatdam’sbackedthewaterupuntiltherereelyain’tnocurrentatall。Andthisbreezehasjuststoppedthedrivedeadasasmelt。"
"Don’topeningthesluice—gatesgiveheradraw？"inquiredthenewcomer。
"Notagainstthiswind——andnotmuchofadraw，anyway，Ishouldguess。"
"Howlongyoubeenhung？"
"Justto—day。IexpectJackwillbedownfromtherearshortly。
Oughttoseesomething’swrongwhenherunsagainstthetailofthisjamofours。"
Atthismomentthelugubrious，round—facedmaninthederbyhatsteppedasidefromtherowofsteamingutensilshehadbeenarranging。
"Grubpile，"heremarkedinaconversationaltoneofvoice。
Thegrouparoseasonemanandmovedupontheheapofcutleryandoftinplatesandcups。Fromtheopenfifty—poundlardpailsandkettlestheyhelpedthemselvesliberally；thenretiredtosquatinlittlegroupshereandtherenearthesourcesofsupply。Mereconversationyieldedtoanindustrioussilence。Sadlythecooksurveyedthescene，hisarmsfoldedacrossthedirtywhiteapron，animmensementalreservationaccentingthemelancholyofhiscountenance。Aftersomemomentsofcontemplationhemixedafizzlingconcoctionofvinegarandsoda，whichhedrank。Hisrotunditytothecontrarynotwithstanding，hewasravagedbyagnawingdyspepsia，andthesightofsixeggseatenasasidedishtosubstantialscarriedconsternationtohisinterior。
Sobusilyengagedwaseachafterhisownfashionthatnobodyobservedtheapproachofasolitaryfiguredownthehighwayoftheriver。Themanappearedtinyaroundtheupperbend，momentlygrowinglargerasheapproached。Hisprogresswasjerkyandonanunevenzigzag，accordingasthelogslay，byleaps，shortruns，briefpauses，asarivermangoes。Finallyhesteppedashorejustbelowthecamp，stampedhisfeetvigorouslyfreeofwater，andapproachedthegrouparoundthecooking—fire。
Noonesawhimsavethecook，whovouchsafedhimastatelyandlugubriousinclinationofthehead。
Thenewcomerwasamansomewhereaboutthirtyyearsofage，squarelybuilt，bigofbone，compactinbulk。Hisfacewasburly，jolly，andreddenedratherthantannedbylongexposure。Apairoftwinklingblueeyesandahumorouslyquirkedmouthredeemedhiscountenancefromcommonplaceness。
Hespreadhisfeetapartandsurveyedthescene。
"Well，boys，"heremarkedatlastinarollickingbigvoice，"I’mgladtoseethesituationhasn’tspoiledyourappetites。"
Atthistheylookedupwithaspontaneousansweringgrin。TomNorthlaidasidehisplateandstartedtoarise。
"Sitstill，Tom，"interposedthenewcomer。"Eathearty。I’mgoingtofeedyetmyself。Thenwe’llseewhat’stobedone。Ithinkfirstthingyou’dbetterseetohavingthiswindturnedoff。"
Afterthemealwasfinished，Northandhisprincipalsaunteredtothewater’sedge，wheretheystoodforaminutelookingatthelogsandtheruffledexpanseofwaterbelow。
"Mightaswellhavesailsonthemandbedonewithit，"remarkedJackOrdereflectively。"Couldn’thold’emanytighter。It’sapitythatoldmossbackhadtoputinamill。Thewaterwasslackenoughbefore，butnowthereseemstobenocurrentatall。"
"Caseofwaitforthewind，"agreedTomNorth。"OldDalywillbered—headed。Hemustbeaboutoutoflogsatthemill。Theflood—
water’sgoingdowneveryminute，andit’llmaketherifflesaboveReddingaholyfright。AndIexpectJohnson’sdrivewillbedownonourrearmostanytime。"
"It’stherealready。Let’sgotakealook，"suggestedOrde。
Theypickedtheirwayaroundtheedgeofthepondtothesiteofthenewmill。
"Sluiceopenallright，"commentedOrde。"Thoughtshemightbeclosed。"
"Isawtothat，"rejoinedNorthinaninjuredtone。
"’Course，"agreedOrde，"buthemighthavedroppedhershutonyoubetweentimes，whenyouweren’tlooking。"
Hewalkedoutonthestructureandlookeddownonthesmoothwaterrushingthrough。
"Oughttomakeadraw，"hereflected。Thenhelaughed。"Tom，lookhere，"hecalled。"Climbdownandtakeasquintatthis。"
Northclamberedtoapositionbelow。
"Thesonofagun！"heexclaimed。
Thesluice，insteadofbeddingatthenaturalchanneloftheriver，hadbeenbuiltagoodsixfeetabovethatlevel；sothat，evenwiththegateswideopen，a"head"ofsixfeetwasretainedintheslackwaterofthepond。
"Nowonderwecouldn’tgetadraw，"saidOrde。"Let’shuntupoldWhat’s—his—nameandhaveapow—wow。"
"HisnameisplainReed，"explainedNorth。"Therehecomesnow。"
"Saintedcats！"criedOrde，withoneofhisbig，rollickingchuckles。"Wheredidyoucatchit？"
Theownerofthedamflappedintoviewasalankandlengthyindividualdressedinloose，longclothesandwearinga—topabatteredold"plug"hat，thenapofwhichseemedalltohavebeenrubbedoffthewrongway。
Asheboredownontheintruderswithtremendous，nervousstrides，theyperceivedhimtobeanoldman，whiteofhair，cadaverousofcountenance，withthin，straightlips，andburning，fanaticeyesbeneathstiffandbushybrows。
"Good—morning，Mr。Reed，"shoutedOrdeabovethenoiseofthewater。
"Good—morning，gentlemen，"repliedtheapparition。
"Nicedamyougothere，"wentonOrde。
Reednodded，hisfieryeyesfixedunblinkingontheriverman。
"Butyouhaven’tbeenquitesquaretous，"saidOrde。Youaren’tgivingusmuchshowtogetourlogsout。"
"Howso？"snappedtheowner，histhinlipstightening。
"Oh，Iguessyouknow，allright，"laughedOrde，clamberingleisurelybacktothetopofthedam。"Thatsluiceisagoodsixfoottoohigh。"
"Isthatso！"criedtheoldman，plungingsuddenlyintoacrazeofexcitement。"Well，letmetellyouthis，Mr。Man，I’mgivingyouallthelawgivesyou，andthat’sthenaturalflowoftheriver，andnotathingmorewillyouget！Youthatcomestowasteanddestroy，toarrogateuntoyourselvesthekingdomsoftheyearthandallthefruitsthereof，letmetellyouyoucan’toverrideSimeonReed！I’mengagedhereinapeacefulandfittin’operation，whichistofeedthehungrybymeansofthisgrist—mill，nottorampageandbringdestructiontothenobleforestsGodhasplanted！I’vegiveyouwhatthelawgivesyou，andnothin’more！"
Somewhatastonishedatthisoutbreak，thetworivermenstoodforamomentstaringattheoldman。ThenasteelyglintcreptintoOrde’sfrankblueeyeandthecornersofhismouthtightened。
"Wewantnotroublewithyou，Mr。Reed，"saidhe，"andI’mnolawyertoknowwhatthelawrequiresyoutodoandwhatitrequiresyounottodo。ButIdoknowthatthisistheonlydamontheriverwithsluicesbuiltupthatway，andIdoknowthatwe’llnevergetthoselogsoutifwedon’tgetmoredrawonthewater。Good—day。"
FollowedbythereluctantNorthhewalkedaway，leavingthegauntfigureofthedamownergazingafterthem，hisblackgarmentsflappingabouthim，hishandsclaspedbehindhisback，hisruffledplughatthrustfromhisforehead。
"Well！"burstoutNorth，whentheywereoutofhearing。
"Well！"mimickedOrdewithalaugh。
"Areyougoingtoletthatoldhigh—bankerwalkalloveryou？"
"Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit，Tom？It’shisdam。"
"Idon’tknow。Butyouain’tgoingtolethimbangusuphereallsummer——"
"Surenot。Butthewind’sshifting。Let’sseewhattheweather’sliketo—morrow。To—day’sprettylate。"
II
Thenextmorningdawnedclearandbreathless。Beforedaylightthepessimisticcookwasout，hisfirewinkingbravelyagainstthedarkness。Hisonlysatisfactionofthelongdaycamewhenhearousedthemenfromtheheavysleepintowhichdailytoilplungedthem。Withthefirstlighttheentirecrewwereatthebanksoftheriver。
Assoonasthewinddiedthelogshadbeguntodriftslowlyoutintotheopenwater。Thesurfaceofthepondwascoveredwiththescatteredtimbersfloatingidly。Afterafewmomentstheclankofthebarsandratchetwasheardastwoofthemenraisedtheheavysluice—gateonthedam。Aroarofwater，momentlyincreasing，markedtheslowriseofthebarrier。Averyimaginativemanmightthenhavemadeoutatendencyforwardonthepartofthosetimbersfloatingnearestthecentreofthepond。Itwasaverysluggishtendency，however，andthemenwatchingcriticallyshooktheirheads。
Fourmorehadbythistimejoinedthetwomenwhohadraisedthegate，andalltogether，armedwithlongpikepoles，walkedoutonthefunnel—shapedboomsthatshouldconcentratethelogsintothechute。Heretheyproddedforwardthefewtimberswithinreach，andwaitedformore。
Thesewerealongtimecoming。Membersofthedrivingcrewleapedshoutingfromonelogtoanother。Sometimes，whenthespaceacrosswastoowidetojump，theypropelledalogovereitherbyrollingit，paddlingit，orprojectingitbytheshockofaleapononeend。
Inaccomplishingthesefeatsoftight—ropebalance，theystooduprightandgraceful，quiteunconsciousofthemselves，theirbodiesaccustomedbylonghabittoniceandinstantobediencetothealmostunconsciousimpulsesofthebrain。Onlytheireyes，intent，preoccupied，blazedoutbysheerwill—powertheunstablepaththeirownersshouldfollow。Onceattheforefrontofthedrive，themenbeganvigorouslytourgethelogsforward。Thistheyaccomplishedalmostentirelybymainstrength，forthesluggishcurrentgavethemlittleaid。Underthepressureoftheirfeetastheypushedagainsttheirimplements，thelogsdipped，rolled，andplunged。
Nevertheless，theyworkedassurelyfromthedecksoftheseunstablecraftasfromthesolidearthitself。
Inthismannerthelogsinthecentreofthepondwereurgedforwarduntil，abovethechute，theycaughttheslightlyacceleratedcurrentwhichshouldbringthemdowntothepike—polemenatthedam。
Immediately，whenthisstrongerinfluencewasfelt，thedriverszigzaggedbackupstreamtostartafreshbatch。Inthemeantimeagreatmanylogsdriftedawaytorightandleftintostagnantwater，wheretheylayabsolutelymotionless。Themovingofthemwasdeferredforthe"sackingcrew，"whichwouldbringuptherear。
JackOrdewanderedbackandforthoverthework，hishandsclaspedbehindhisback，ashortpipeclenchedbetweenhisteeth。Totheedgeofthedriveherodethelogs，thentooktothebankandstrolleddowntothedam。Therehestoodforamomentgazingaimlesslyatthewatermakingovertheapron，afterwhichhereturnedtothework。Nocloudobscuredtheserenegood—natureofhisface。MeetingTomNorth’stroubledglance，hegrinnedbroadly。
"Toldyouwe’dhaveJohnsononournecks，"heremarked，jerkinghisthumbuprivertowardarapidlyapproachingfigure。
Thissoondefineditselfasatall，sun—reddened，veryblondindividualwithacholericblueeye。
"Whatinhell’sthematterhere？"heyelled，assoonashecamewithinhearingdistance。
Ordemadenoreply，butstoodcontemplatingthenewcomerwithaflickerofamusement。
"Whatinhell’sthematter？"repeatedthelatterviolently。
"Bettergothereandinquire，"rejoinedOrdedrolly。"Whatailsyou，Johnson？"
"We’rerightatyourrear，"criedtheother，"andyouain’tevenmadeastartgettin’throughthisdam！We’lllosethewaternext！
Whyinhellain’tyouthroughandgone？"
"Keepyourshirton，"advisedOrde。"We’regettingthroughasfastaswecan。Ifyouwanttheselogspushedanyfaster，comedownanddoityourself。"
Johnsonvouchsafednoreply，butsplashedawayoverthelogs，examiningindetailtheprogressofthework。Afteralittlehereturnedwithinhailingdistance。
"Ifyoucan’tgetoutlogs，whydoyoutakethejob？"heroared，withastringofoaths。"Ifyouhangmydrive，damnyou，you’llcatchitfordamages！It’sgettin’toapurtypasswhenanyoldhighbankerfromanywherescangetoutandplayjackstrawsholdin’upeverydriveintheriver！Itellyouourmillsneedlogs，andwhat’smorethey’reagoin’toGITthem！"
Hedepartedinarumbleofvituperation。
Ordelaughedhumorouslyathisforeman。
"Johnsongetssomadsometimes，hisskincracks，"heremarked。
"However，"hewentonmoreseriously，"there’saheapinwhathemeans，ifthereain’tsomuchinwhathesays。I’llgolabourwithouroldfriendbelow。"
Heregainedthebank，stoppedtolighthispipe，andsauntered，witheveryappearanceofleisure，downthebank，pastthedam，tothemillstructurebelow。
Herehefoundtheowneroccupyingachairtiltedbackagainstthewallofthebuilding。Hisruffledplughatwasthrust，asusual，wellawayfromhishighandnarrowforehead；thelongbroadclothcoatfellbacktorevealanunbuttonedwaistcoattheflappingblacktrouserswerehitchedupfarenoughtodisplaywoollensockswrinkledaboutbonyshanks。Hewaswhittlingapinestick，whichheheldpointingdownbetweenhisspreadknees，andconversinganimatedlywithayoungfellowoccupyinganotherchairathisside。
"Andtherecomesoneof’emnow，"declaimedtheoldmandramatically。
Ordenoddedbrieflytothestranger，andcameatoncetobusiness。
"Iwanttotalkthismatteroverwithyou，"hebegan。"Wearen’tmakingmuchprogress。Wecan’taffordtohangupthedrive，andthewaterisgoingdowneveryday。We’vegottohavemorewater。I’lltellyouwhatwe’lldo：Ifyou’llletuscutdownthenewsill，we’llreplaceitingoodshapewhenwegetallourlogsthrough。"
"No，sir！"promptlyvetoedtheoldman。
"Well，we’llgiveyousomethingfortheprivilege。Whatdoyouthinkisfair？"
"ItellyeI’llgiveyouyourlegalrights，andnotacentmore，"
repliedtheoldman，stillquietly，butwithquiveringnostrils。
"Whatisyourname？"askedOrde。
"MynameisReed，sir。"
"Well，Mr。Reed，stopandthinkwhatthismeans。It’samoreseriousmatterthanyouthink。Inalittlewhilethewaterwillbesolowintheriverthatitwillbeimpossibletotakeoutthelogsthisyear。Thatmeansalargeloss，ofcourse，asyouknow。"
"Idon’tknownothin’aboutthepeskybusiness，andIdon’twanto，"
snortedReed。
"Well，there’sborers，foronething，tospoilagoodmanyofthelogs。Andthinkwhatitwillmeantothemills。Nologsmeansnolumber。Thatisbankruptcyforagoodmanywhohavecontractstofulfil。Andnologsmeansthemillsmustclose。Thousandsofmenwillbethrownoutoftheirjobs，andagoodmanyofthemwillgohungry。Andwiththestreamfulloftheoldcutting，thatmeanslesstodonextwinterinthewoods——morementhrownout。Gettingoutaseason’scutwiththeflood—waterisaprettyseriousmattertoagreatmanypeople，andifyouinsistonholdingusuphereinthisslackwaterthesituationwillsoonbecomealarming。"
"Yefinished？"demandedReedgrimly。
"Yes，"repliedOrde。
Theoldmancastfromhimhishalf—whittledpieceofpine。Heclosedhisjack—knifewithasnapandthrustitinhispocket。Hebroughttoearththefrontlegsofhischairwithathump，andjammedhisruffledplughattoitsproperplace。
"Andifthewholekitandkaboodleofyestarvedout—right，"saidhe，"itwouldbutbethefulfillin’ofthewordoftheprophetwhosays，’SowillIsenduponyoufamineandevilbeasts，andtheyshallbereavethee，andpestilenceandbloodshallpassthroughthee；andIwillbringthesworduponthee。ItheLordhavespokenit！’"
"That’syourlastword？"inquiredOrde。
"That’smylastword，andmyfirst。YethatmakeofGod’ssmilin’
landwasteplacesandawilderness，byyourownfollyshallyeperish。"
"Good—day，"saidOrde，whirlingonhisheelwithoutfurtherargument。
Theyoungman，whohadduringthiscolloquysataninterestedandsilentspectator，aroseandjoinedhim。Ordelookedathisnewcompanionalittlecuriously。liewasaveryslenderyoungman，taut—muscled，taut—nerved，butimpassiveindemeanour。Hepossessedashrewd，thinface，steel—gray，inscrutableeyesbehindglasses。
Hiscostumewasquitesimplyanoldgraysuitofbusinessclothesandagrayfelthat。Atthemomentheheldinhismouthanunlightedandbadlychewedcigar。
"Nice，amiableoldparty，"volunteeredOrdewithachuckle。
"Seemstobe，"agreedtheyoungmandrily。
"Well，Ireckonwe’lljusthavetoworryalongwithouthim，"
remarkedOrde，strikinghissteelcaulksintothefirstlogandpreparingtocrossoutintotheriverwheretheworkwasgoingon。
"Waitaminute，"saidtheyoungfellow。"Haveyouanyobjectionstomyhangingaroundalittletowatchthework？MynameisNewmark——
JosephNewmark。I’moutinthiscountryagooddealformyhealth。
Thisthinginterestsme。"
"Sure，"repliedOrde，puzzled。"Lookallyouwantto。Thescenery’sfree。"
"Yes。Butcanyouputmeup？CanIgetachancetostaywithyoualittlewhile？"
"Oh，asfarasI’mconcerned，"agreedOrdeheartily。"But，"hesupplementedwithoneofhiscontagiouschuckles，"I’monlyriver—
boss。You’llhavetofixitupwiththedoctor——thecook，Imean，"
heexplained，asNewmarklookpuzzled。"You’llfindhimatcampupbehindthatbrush。He’saslim，handsomefellow，withajollyexpressionofcountenance。"
Heleapedlightlyoutoverthebobbingtimbers，leavingNewmarktofindhisway。
Inthecentreofthestreamtheworkhadbeengraduallyslowingdowntoastandstillwiththesubsidenceofthefirstrushofwaterafterthesluice—gatewasopened。TomNorth，leaninggracefullyagainsttheshaftofapeavy，lookedupeagerlyashisprincipalapproached。
"Well，Jack，"heinquired，"isittobepeaceorwar？"
"War，"repliedOrdebriefly。
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