/**
         * Read the side file to get the last flush length.
         * @param fs the file system to use
         * @param deltaFile the path of the delta file
         * @return the maximum size of the file to use
         * @
         */
        private static long getLastFlushLength(FileSystem fs,
                                               Path deltaFile)
        {
            Path lengths = OrcRecordUpdater.getSideFile(deltaFile);
            long result  = Long.MAX_VALUE;

            try
            {
                FSDataInputStream stream = fs.open(lengths);
                result = -1;
                while (stream.available() > 0)
                {
                    result = stream.readLong();
                }
                stream.close();
                return(result);
            }
            catch (IOException ioe)
            {
                return(result);
            }
        }