These he prepared.
Then he and Welton walked out over the jam, examining it carefully, and
consulting together at length. Finally Roaring Dick placed his charge
far down in the interstices, lit the fuse and walked calmly ashore. The
men leisurely placed themselves out of harm's way. Welton joined Bob
behind a big burned stub.
"Will that start her sure?" asked Bob.
"Depends on whether we guessed right on the key log," said Welton.
A great roar shook the atmosphere. Straight up into the air spurted the
cloud of the explosion. Through the white smoke Bob could see the flame
and four or five big logs, like upleaping, dim giants. Then he dodged
back from the rain of bark and splinters.
The immediate effect on the jam was not apparent. It fell forward into
the opening made by the explosion, and a light but perceptible movement
ran through the waiting timbers up the river. But the men, running out
immediately, soon made it evident that the desired result had been
attained. Their efforts now seemed to gain definite effects. An
uneasiness ran through the hitherto solid structure of the jam.
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