They had worked honestly enough, but a certain snap and vim had lacked.

This was because Radway had been too easy on them.
Your true lumber-jack adores of all things in creation a man whom he feels to be stronger than himself.

If his employer is big enough to drive him, then he is willing to be driven to the last ounce of his strength.

But once he gets the notion that his "boss" is afraid of, or for, him or his feelings or his health, he loses interest in working for that man.

So a little effort to lighten or expedite his work, a little leniency in excusing the dilatory finishing of a job, a little easing-up under stress of weather, are taken as so many indications of a desire to conciliate.