Here were a
water-power dam and some small manufactories. Here, too, were saloons
and other temptations for rivermen. Camp was made above town. In the
evening the men, with but few exceptions, turned in to the sleeping tent
at the usual hour. Bob was much surprised at this; but later he came to
recognize it as part of a riverman's peculiar code. Until the drive
should be down, he did not feel himself privileged to "blow off steam."
Even the exceptions did not get so drunk they could not show up the
following morning to take a share in sluicing the drive through the dam.
All but Roaring Dick. The latter did not appear at all, and was reported
"drunk a-plenty" by some one who had seen him early that morning.
Evidently the river boss did not "take this drive serious." His absence
seemed to make no difference. The sluicing went forward methodically.
"He'll show up in a day or two," said the cook with entire indifference,
when Bob inquired of him.
That evening, however, four or five of the men disappeared, and did not
return. Such was the effect of an evil example on the part of the
foreman.
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