File:Annual report of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission of the State of New York (1899) (14568745380).jpg

Identifier: annualreportof6189919newy (find matches)
Title: Annual report of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission of the State of New York
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors: New York (State). Forest, Fish and Game Commission
Subjects: Forests and forestry Fisheries Game and game-birds
Publisher: (Albany, N.Y. : The Commission)
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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y stream, a jam is formed, and thousands of logsare wedged fast in the channel, held back by some one log firmly braced againstan impediment. Then occurs a thrilling scene, as the boss calls for volunteers tobreak the jam. There is always a prompt response. One or more daring fellows,impelled by pride in their work and love of applause, take their lives in theirhands, as with axe and handspike they leap over the treacherous logs and placethemselves at the head of the jam. Behind them are the thousands of logs, fillingthe angry stream from bank to bank, piled thickly to the bottom, some of themtossing, tumbling and leaping in air as the dammed up torrent forces them aboutin wild confusion. Beneath them is the swaying, rocking, unstable mass, in whichis seen the log that forms the key to the position. The crew of drivers gather onthe banks below the jam, where they watch with intense eagerness and anxiety theman who volunteers to cut or loosen this log. They note every stroke of the axe
Text Appearing After Image:
en a Pi a- 2 2 a 5 O w O £ QO 3 FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 275 wielded by the hero as, coolly and undaunted, he proceeds with his work. Thecritical moment is close at hand. There is some more prying with the handspike,a few more blows with the axe, and the huge threatening mass begins to move.Above the sound of the foaming waters a loud shout of warning comes from themen below, and then, leaping from log to log as the jam breaks, the brave fellowreaches the shore in safety amid the applauding cheers of his comrades ; or, as acry of horror breaks from the watching crew, he loses his footing and disappearsbeneath the terrible grinding mass. Crushed and torn, a mere semblance ofhumanity, a mans body is found in the river later on, and in the camps nextwinter another chapter is added to the unwritten story of heroism as the men relatein quiet tones the story of the man who lost his life on the companys drive thatspring. And so, amid scenes of toil and danger the work is done, the

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