He saw himself standing at the head of the flume out there by the Mill Cartier with his hand on the lever.

Below him in the empty flume was the master-carpenter giving a last inspection to the repairs.

Beyond the master-carpenter--far beyond--was the great mill-wheel! Behind himself, Jean Jacques, was the river held back by the dam; and if the lever was opened,--the river would sweep through the raised gates down the flume to the millwheel--with the man.

And then the wheel would turn and turn, and the man would be in the wheel.
It was not obvious; it was original; and it looked safe for Jean Jacques.

How easily could such an "accident" occur!.