But the part that affected them the most was the return journey through the gorge, after they had recrossed the river five miles below the falls.
The car descended until it was running at the very edge of the river that rushed through the channel between the two great bluffs. As the whirlpool was approached the rush and swish of the water became fiercer and more terrible. It was fascinating yet fearful to look upon, and Elsie Bellwood shuddered and drew back, more than once averting her eyes.
The whirlpool itself was a wonderful sight, but the rapids above it proved the most awesome of aspect. There the water hissed and seethed with a blood-chilling sound as it raced, and foamed, and whirled along its course. The suggestion of terrible power possessed by this mad river was simply appalling. The sound of the hissing water put one's nerves on edge. In places the river boiled, and surged, and raged over hidden rocks, leaping upward in mighty waves of white foam. There were thousands of eddies and whirlpools, all suggestive of destruction.
The girls were genuinely relieved when the car began the ascent that would take them out of the gorge.
"It was great," said Inza, as they finally reached the level above. "I enjoyed every moment of it, but it made me feel so dreadfully mean and insignificant. I'm glad we took the ride, but I don't think I'd care to take it again to-morrow. Where shall we go now, Frank?"
"We'll stroll over onto Goat Island," said Merry.
They left the car when it finally reached the place from which they had started on the American side.
Barely had they started toward the island when a carriage stopped beside them and the driver importuned them to let him take them round.
"You couldn't take all of us in that carriage," said Merry.
"I'll call another in a moment," said the driver, and started to do so.