"Isn't it grand!" cried Inza in Elsie's ear, her face flushed and her dark eyes shining.
"It's grand," admitted the golden-haired girl; "but it's terrible, and it frightens me."
The little party had divided, seeking various vantage points from which views of the great rapids could be obtained.
Frank and Bart lingered with the girls.
Mrs. Medford had remained on Goat Island, declining to cross the first bridge, and asserting that she preferred to rest on one of the benches. She refused to permit any one to remain with her, urging and commanding them all to see everything worth seeing.
"A human being would have absolutely no chance if ever caught in the edge of that current," said Hodge. "The instant he was swept off his feet he would be doomed."
"It's fascinating, fascinating!" exclaimed Inza. "I almost seem to feel something pulling me toward the water."
"It's a very dangerous feeling," smiled Merry. "You know that an average of sixteen suicides a year take place here at the falls. People cannot resist the fascination of the rushing water. Many times no real reason can be given for these acts of self-destruction. You know there are moments when every human brain falters and seems touched by the fleeting finger of insanity. People who stand on great heights often feel an almost irresistible longing to fling themselves down. Here they are attacked by a mad longing to cast themselves into the clutch of the rapids."
"Oh!" exclaimed Elsie, pale to the lips. "Let me get away—farther away!"
Inza offered assistance, but Elsie forced a laugh and declared she was all right. However, she leaned on the arm of Bart, and they retreated from the immediate edge of the rapids.