Rex soon saw that what Bob had told him was true, for as soon as the single log was well away from the rest it began to forge ahead. True, its pace was increased by the fact that the two Frenchmen were using their peaveys for paddles, but he could see that their log had drawn away from the main drive even before they had began to paddle. “I’ll say they’re clever,” he declared as he noted the ease with which the two kept their balance. “They don’t make ’em any better, not on this river anyway,” Jack declared with pride. “That’s nothing,” Bob broke in. “I only hope we can get Jean to have a log rolling contest with someone before you go back. Then you’d see something that really is clever.” “I say, Bob,” Jack said as Jean and his fellow voyager disappeared around a bend in the river, “If that crew of Ben’s is going to get up to The Forks by noon it’s funny we haven’t seen anything of them, don’t you think?” “Just what I was thinking,” Bob declared. “But,” he added, “you know that if Ben said they’d be there today some time next week would more likely be the time they’ll arrive.” “You’re about right there,” Jack agreed. “I say, but we’re leaving a lot of logs behind along the shore,” Rex declared as he glanced about him. “Sure we are,” Jack agreed. “But that can’t be helped. You see,” he explained, “we started out with a lot more than enough to make up the first delivery. The crew’ll get those logs which stick later on and if enough get by to fill the bill the rest can poke along later.” “The crew which belongs on this beat ought to be here in a day or two at the latest,” Bob broke in, “and they won’t be long in getting them going again. Speed for the main bunch is what we’re after now.” By this time they had reached the curve in the river and as they swept around it they had a clear view of the stream for a distance of nearly a mile. “See! There’s the island,” Jack shouted. The island was in plain view about a mile ahead and, about half way between them and it they could see the two Frenchmen riding their log. “They’re making some time,” Jack said as he caught sight of them. “Sure are,” Bob agreed. “I never would have believed that they could make a log go that fast,” Rex declared. “I’ll bet there’s something wrong with the boom and they’ve spotted it,” Jack said. “You know Jean can see about twice as far as most men with those eagle eyes of his.” “I’m afraid you’re right because they are certainly making the dust fly,” Bob declared soberly. “I’m afraid you’re getting your figures of speech mixed a bit,” Rex said as he glanced at Jack. “I don’t see anything particularly dusty about this river.” “I stand corrected,” Bob laughed. “But I guess you know what I mean.” “Oh, we get the idea all right,” Jack assured him. “Well, dust or no dust, they’re certainly getting that log through the water at a faster rate of speed than I would have believed possible,” Rex insisted.