FOREST LIFE. 103 



Bteep, and when there is not a sufficient quantity to pay the ex- 

 pense of a sluice-way, we fell a large tree, sometimes the Hem- 

 lock, trim out the top, and cut the largest limbs off a foot, more 

 or less, from the trunk. This is attached to the end of the log 

 by strong chains, and as the oxen draw the load, this drag thrusts 

 its stumpy limbs into the snow and frozen earth, and thus pre- 

 vents the load from forcing the team forward too rapidly. Should 

 the chain give way which attaches thQ hold-back to the load, 

 nothing could save the team from sudden destruction. 



There is a mountain on the " west branch" of the Penobscot 

 where Pine-trees of excellent quality stand far up its sides, whose 

 tops appear to sweep the very clouds. The side Vv^hich furnishes 

 timber rises in terraces of gigantic proportions, forming a succes- 

 sion of abrupt precipices and shelving table-land. There are 

 three of these giant mountain steps, each of which produces lum- 

 ber which challenges the admiration and enterprise of the log- 

 men. The ascent to these Alpine groves is too abrupt to allow 

 the team to ascend in harness ; we therefore unyoke and drive the 

 oxen up winding pathways. The yokes and chains are carried 

 up by the workmen, and also the bob-sled in pieces, after taking 

 it apart. Ascending to the uppermost terrace, the oxen are re- 

 yoked and the sled adjusted. The logs being cut and prepared 

 as usual, are loaded, and hauled to the edge of the first precipice, 

 unloaded, and rolled ofi' to the table of the second terrace, where 

 they are again loaded, hauled, and tumbled off as before, to the 

 top of the first rise, from which they are again pitched down 

 to the base of the mountain, where for the last time they are 

 loaded, and hauled to the landing. 



To obtain logs in such romantic locations was really as hazard- 

 ous as it was laborious, varying sufficiently from the usual rou- 

 tine of labor to invest the occasion with no ordinary interest. It 

 was, indeed, an exhibition well calculated to awaken thrilling 

 emotions to witness the descent^of those massive logs, breaking 



