WHEN THE DAM WENT OUT In the two weeks that had passed since Wingate & Gray started their operations on the Little Big Branch, wonders had been accomplished.

A modern camp for the lumberjacks had been constructed, and the dam had been completed to the extent of permitting them to close the gates and let water accumulate there.
On the day that marked the completion of the work, the Overland girls arranged to show their appreciation of what the jacks had done by giving them a surprise party.

This party, first suggested as a dinner, after much discussion was changed to an old-fashioned dancing party, which the girls thought the men would enjoy more than they would a dinner.
Just before they sat down to their supper, the lumberjacks were "tipped" to finish the meal as quickly as possible and slick themselves up, because the Overland party was coming over to call, and Captain Gray to give them a brief "spiel," as Hippy expressed it in telling the men to get ready.

The jacks received the word without comment; in fact they received it somewhat sullenly.

Hippy, however, knew the lumberjack tribe by this time--knew their peculiar ways--and told the girls to go ahead with their plans.
Darkness had settled over the Big North Woods when Hippy rallied his flock for the party, each girl spruced up for the occasion, Emma Dean's face wreathed in smiles in anticipation of the good time that was in prospect.