The logs are then "decked" on immense piles, sometimes a mile long and filling the whole river from bank to bank.

A decking chain 300 feet long is sometimes required to roll the logs to their proper places.

Here the logs rest till the spring freshets come.

This completes the transportation by land.
[Illustration: Fig.14.Banking Grounds.] With the coming of the spring thaw, the river bed is filled with a freshet of water which seizes and carries the logs down stream.

Many on the banks, however, have to be started on their way, and this is called "breaking out the roll ways." They often start on their water journey with a great crash.
[Illustration: Fig.15.The Sleigh Haul.] [Illustration: Fig.16.Sacking the Rear.] Now comes _the drive_, an arduous and often perilous task.