Reed stormed back and forth for a moment, then departed at full
speed up the road.

"Now, boys, get as much done as possible," urged Orde. "We better
get back in the brush, or he may try to take in the whole b'iling of
us on some sort of a blanket warrant."

"How about the other boys?" inquired North.

"I gave one of them a telegram to send to Daly," replied Orde.
"Daly will be up to bail them out."

Once more they hid in the woods; and again, after a longer interval,
the mill owner and the sheriff reappeared. Reed appeared to be
expostulating violently, and a number of times pointed up river; but
the sheriff went ahead stolidly to the dam, summoned those working
below, and departed up the road as before. Reed stood uncertain
until he saw the rivermen beginning to re-emerge from the brush,
then followed the officer at top speed.

Without the necessity of command, a half-dozen men leaped down on
the apron. The previous crews had made considerable progress in
weakening the heavy supports. As soon as these should be cut out
and the backing removed, the mere sawing through of the massive sill
should carry away the whole obstruction.

"Next time will decide it," remarked Orde. "If the sheriff brings a
posse and sits down to lay for us, of course we won't be able to get
near to finish the job."