les the
wavelets went _lap_, _lap_, _slap_, _lap_! Beyond were men working the
reluctant logs down toward the lower end of the booms. Some jabbed the
pike poles in and then walked forward along the boom logs. Others ran
quickly over the logs themselves until they had gained timbers large
enough to sustain their weight, whence they were able to work with
greater advantage. The supporting log rolled and dipped under the burden
of the man pushing mightily against his implement; but always the
riverman trod it, first one way, then the other, in entire
unconsciousness of the fact that he was doing so. The dark flanks of the
log heaved dripping from the river, and rolled silently back again,
picked by the long sharp caulks of the riverman's boots.

"Can you walk on the logs?" asked Bobby of his companion.

"Sure," laughed Jimmy Powers.

"Let's see you," insisted Bobby.

Jimmy Powers leaped lightly from the boom to the nearest log. It was a
small one, and at once dipped below the surface. If the boy had
attempted to stand on it even a second he would have fallen in. But all
Jimmy Powers needed was a foothold from which to spring. Hardly had the
little timber dipped before he had jumped to the next and the next
after. Behind him the logs, bobbing up and down, churned the water
white. Jimmy moved rapidly across the enclosure on an irregular zigzag.
The smaller logs he passed over as quickly as possible; on the larger he
paused appreciably. Bobby was interested to see how he left behind him a
wake of motion on what had possessed the appearance of rigid immobility.
The little logs bobbed furiously; the larger bowed in more stately
fashion and rolled slowly in dignified protest. In a moment Jimmy was
back again, grinning at Bobby's admiration.

"Look here," said he.

He took his station sideways on a log of about twenty inches diameter,
and began to roll it beneath him by walking rapidly forward. As the
timber gained its momentum, the boy increased his pace, until finally
his feet were fairly twinkling beneath him, and the side of the log
rising from the river was a blur of white water. Then suddenly with two
quick strong stamps of his caulked feet the young riverman brought the
whirling timber to a standstill.

"That's birling a log," said he to Bobby.

They walked out on the main boom still farther. The smaller partitions
between the various enclosures were often nothing but single round poles
chained together at their