ermination and
desperation.

As in a virulent disease, the symptoms developed rapidly when once the
course of the malady was assured. After the first rush, when the upper
booms broke, nothing spectacular occurred. Steadily and relentlessly the
logs, packed close together down to the very bed of the stream, pressed
outward against the frail defences. Orde soon found himself forced from
the consideration of definite plans of campaign. He gave over formal
defences, and threw his energies to saving the weak places which rapidly
developed. By the most tremendous exertions he seemed but just able
to keep even. So closely balanced was the equilibrium between the
improvisation of defence and the increase of pressure behind the jam
that it seemed as if even a moment's breathing spell would bring the
deluge. Piles quivered, bent slowly outward--immediately, before the
logs behind them could stir, the pile-driver must do its work. Back
and forth darted the SPRITE and her sister-tug the SPRAY towing the
pile-drivers or the strings of piles. Under the frowning destruction
that a breath might loosen, the crews had to do their work. And if ever
that breath should come, there would be no chance for escape. Crushed
and buried, the men and their craft alike would be borne with the
breaking jam to an unknown grave in the Lake. Every man knew it.

Darkness came. No one stopped for food. By the light of lanterns the
struggle went on, doubly terrifying in the mystery of night. By day
the men, practised in such matters, could at least judge of the
probabilities of a break. At night they had to work blindly, uncertain
at what moment the forces they could not see would cut loose to
overwhelm them.

Morning found no change in the situation. The water rose steadily;
the logs grew more and more restive; the defences weaker and more
inadequate. Orde brought out steaming pails of coffee which the men
gulped down between moments. No one thought of quitting. They were afire
with the flame of combat, and were set obstinately on winning even in
the face of odds. About ten o'clock they were reinforced by men from the
mills downstream. The Owners of those mills had no mind to lose their
logs. Another pile-driver was also sent up from the Government work.
Without this assistance the jam must surely have gone out. Spectators
marvelled how it held as it did. The mass seemed constantly to quiver
on the edge of motion. Here and there over the surface of the