Again his team responded, and with a mighty heave, the stump came slowly out, carrying with it what looked like half a ton of earth.

But even as it heaved, he heard Aleck's call and the answering crash, and before he could get his team a-going, the French-Canadians were off for their pile at a gallop, with the lines flying in the air behind them.

A moment later he followed, the blacks hauling their stump at a run.
Together he and Aleck reached the pile.

It only remained now to unhook the chain.

In vain he tugged and hauled.