pring unexpectedly from the
clear snow, scattering a cloud with its strong wings. The deer, herded
together, tramped "yards" where the feed was good. Between the yards ran
narrow trails. When the animals went from one yard to another in these
trails, their ears and antlers alone were visible. On either side of the
logging roads the snow piled so high as to form a kind of rampart. When
all this water in suspense should begin to flow, and to seek its level
in the water-courses of the district, the logs would have plenty to
float them, at least.

So late did the cold weather last that, even with the added plowing to
do, the six camps beat all records. On the banks at Camp One were nine
million feet; the totals of all five amounted to thirty-three million.
About ten million of this was on French Creek; the remainder on the main
banks of the Ossawinamakee. Besides this the firm up-river, Sadler &
Smith, had put up some twelve million more. The drive promised to be
quite an affair.

About the fifteenth of April attention became strained. Every day the
mounting sun made heavy attacks on the snow: every night the temperature
dropped below the freezing point. The river began to show more air
holes, occasional open places. About the center the ice looked worn and
soggy. Someone saw a flock of geese high in the air. Then came rain.

One morning early, Long Pine Jim came into the men's camp bearing a huge
chunk of tallow. This he held against the hot stove until its surface
had softened, when he began to swab liberal quantities of grease on his
spiked river shoes, which he fished out from under his bunk.

"She's comin', boys," said he.

He donned a pair of woolen trousers that had been chopped off at the
knee, thick woolen stockings, and the river shoes. Then he tightened his
broad leather belt about his heavy shirt, cocked his little hat over his
ear, and walked over in the corner to select a peavey from the lot the
blacksmith had just put in shape. A peavey is like a cant-hook except
that it is pointed at the end. Thus it can be used either as a hook or
a pike. At the same moment Shearer, similarly attired and equipped,
appeared in the doorway. The opening of the portal admitted a roar of
sound. The river was rising.

"Come on, boys, she's on!" said he sharply.

Outside, the cook and cookee were stowing articles in the already loaded
wanigan. The scow contained tents, blankets, provisions, and a portable
stove. It followe