ly
to be suddenly accelerated, when the exertions of the men had again
removed the obstruction.

It was an exciting spectacle to see these daring fellows leap from log
to log, with birch-bark shoes on their feet. They would ride on a heap
of lumber down to the very edge of the cataract, dexterously jump off
at the critical moment, and after half a dozen narrow escapes, reach
the shore, only to repeat the dangerous experiment, as soon as the next
opportunity offered itself.

It was the example of these hardy and agile lumbermen, trained from
childhood to sport with danger, which inspired Viggo and his followers
with a desire to show their mettle.

"Sergeant Henning," said the General to his ever-faithful shadow, "take
a squad of five men with you, and cut steering-poles for those for whom
boat-hooks cannot be procured. You will be the last to leave shore.
Report to me if any one fails to obey orders."

"Shall be done, General," Marcus responded, with a deferential military
salute.

"The bows, you understand, will be slung by the straps across the backs
of the men, while they steer and push with their poles."

"Certainly, General," said Marcus, with another salute.

"You may go."

"All right, General," answered Marcus, with a third salute.

And now began the battle. The East-Siders, fearing that a stratagem was
intended, when they saw the enemy moving up the stream, made haste to
follow their example, capturing on their way every stray log that came
along. They sent ineffectual showers of arrows into the water, while the
brave General Viggo, striding two big logs which he had tied together
with a piece of rope, and with a boat-hook in his hand, pushed proudly
at the head of his army into the middle of the wide basin.

Halvor Reitan was clever enough to see what it meant, and he was not
going to allow the West-Siders to gain the heights above him, and attack
him in the rear. He meant to prevent the enemy from landing, or, still
better, he would meet him half-way, and drive him back to his own shore.

The latter, though not the wiser course, was the plan which Halvor
Reitan adopted. To have a tussle with the high-nosed Viggo in the middle
of the basin, to dislodge him from his raft--that seemed to Halvor a
delightful project. He knew that Viggo was a good swimmer, so he
feared no dangerous consequences; and even if he had, it would not have
restrained him. He was so much stronger than Viggo, and here was his
m