To him it is a life apart; not belonging to the life he lives-a passing show.
It was a stark surprise of the river which makes this story possible.
There was a strike at Bunder's Boom--as it was called--between Bunder and Grier's men.

Some foreman of Grier's gang had been needlessly offensive.

Bunder had been stupidly resentful.

When Grier's men had tried to force his hand also, he had resisted.

It chanced that, when an impasse seemed possible to be broken only by force, a telegram came to John Grier at Montreal telling him of the difficulty.