These two men now pushed in front and examined carefully the enormous trees that grew close to the edge of the ravine, out of which they selected two that grew close together, and then called for six men who they knew to be the most skilful axemen, to whom Jake gave instructions, turning at the same time a deaf ear to an Engineer officer who advanced to propound some learned theories, but who fell back, choked off by the good-humoured though scarcely respectful admonition: “Here, be a good boy, Johnny; now run away and play nicely by yourself,” tendered him by the Blue-nose giant. Then at the word, “Now get to it, boys!” the eight men sprang at the two trees like tigers. It was simply marvellous to see these men work, every blow falling, notwithstanding the rain and slippery axe helves, just where it was aimed; while the men, although they put their whole souls into the job, did not waste an ounce of strength. First of all a large and deep scarf was opened in the trunks of the trees on the ravine side, two men working one opposite the other, each blow so timed to succeed the other as to make huge chips fly in all directions. At the same time the other two men were attacking the far side, though the depth of the wound on the creek side was kept well in advance of the other. After some time both trees emitted deep groans, which drew a cheer from the bystanders though the axemen still continued to ply their weapons with unabated vigour; and the trees, as if in anguish, groaned and groaned again and again. Suddenly Jake yelled, “Spell-o,” when every axe ceased, and after a few words with his brother he approached the General, who, with most of the officers, was watching the proceedings. “Say, Boss,” drawled the unsophisticated bushman to the astonished old gentleman, “you and these ’ere galoots had better git, or I guess you’ll be fouled by some of them darned monkey ropes, an’ I kalkelate they’ll bring down a heap of branches and dead wood.” “Ah,” quoth the General, “I presume you think we may be in some danger in remaining here when the trees fall.” “You bet, Boss; you’ve struck it in once,” replied the unabashed Blue-nose, who promptly returned to his mates. “Your men,” said the General, turning to Mr Roach, “do not seem to be very conversant with military etiquette.” “No, sir,” replied Mr Roach; “some of them are a very rough lot, but I assure you, sir, no disrespect nor offence was meant.” “Quite so,” returned the General, “and no offence is taken, but by gad we will take his advice and fall back a bit. That fellow knows his work.” “You bet, Boss,” drawled one of the staff, and they all fell back, laughing. Jake and his pard had gone back alone to their respective trees. “Are you ready, Vic?” yelled Jake. “Let her go.” And the two axes fell like one in a succession of lightning blows. “She is coming, mate,” yells Jake.