He hoped in this manner to check correspondingly the ascent of his end.

In other words, he took the place, on his side, of the preventing sliver, so equalizing the pressure and forcing the timber to its proper position.

Instead of rolling, the log slid.

The stock of the cant-hook was jerked from his hands.

He fell back, and the cant-hook, after clinging for a moment to the rough bark, snapped down and hit him a crushing blow on the top of the head.
Had a less experienced man than Jim Gladys been stationed at the other end, Thorpe's life would have ended there.