ek, fully twenty feet wide. It
flowed smooth and dark at his feet, but the turmoil to the left showed
that it tumbled over the rocks, not far away.

Harvey was anything but pleased, when he saw the bridge by which the
stream had to be passed. It was merely the trunk of a tree, that lay
with the base on the side where he stood, while the top rested on the
other bank. Whoever had felled the tree had trimmed the trunk of its
branches from base to top--the result being more ornamental than
useful, for the protuberances would have served to help the footing of
a passenger. The trunk in the middle was no more than six inches in
diameter, and being a little worn by the shoes that had trod its
length, the footing was anything but secure. With the sprinkling of
snow it was more treacherous than ever.

"Must I cross _that_?" Harvey said aloud, with a feeling akin to dismay.

"You can do so or swim, whichever you choose."

These words were spoken by a man standing on the other side, and who
was about to step on the support, when he paused on seeing another on
the point of doing the same from the opposite bank. In the dim light,
Harvey saw him only indistinctly, but judged that he himself was
recognized by the other.

"I suppose it's safe enough for those accustomed to it," said Harvey in
reply, "but I prefer some other means; do you intend to use it?"

"That I do; I want no better; if you are afraid, get out of the way,
for I am late."

Harvey moved to the right, and watched the other, who stepped upon the
support and walked over with as much certainty as if treading a
pavement on the street.

Harvey looked closely, and as the fellow came toward him, he recognized
him as one of his former employes. He was Jack Hansell--a brother of
Tom, and like him a close associate of Hugh O'Hara, the leader.

"You are out late, Jack," remarked the superintendent, as the other
left the log. To his surprise, Jack did not answer, but quickly
disappeared up the path by which the superintendent had reached the
spot.

"He is surly and ill-mannered, like all of them; no doubt he is on his
way to the cabin to plot mischief with the others."

Since nothing was to be gained by waiting, Harvey now stepped on the
trunk and began gingerly making his way across. It was a hard task,
and just beyond the middle, he lost his balance. He was so far along,
however, that a vigorous jump landed him on the other bank.

A little beyond he caug