The next day they sailed over the great sterile valley, or desert, and in the afternoon they had completed the first stage of their journey, and were at the head of the Colorado, where it was formed by the conjunction of the Green and Grand rivers.
“From now on, we’ve got our work cut out for us,” announced Jerry, as they came to rest that evening, not far from the great river. “We’ll follow it, and as soon as we get anywhere near Grand View, we’ll begin making inquiries about Snake Island.”
“But I thought the island was between Grand View and Bright Angel Trail,” said Bob.
“So it may be,” assented Jerry, “but I’m not going to take any chances. It may be either one side or the other of those places, and, if we inquire as we go along, we won’t be so far out. It won’t take us long, and it is better to be sure than sorry.”
“All right, we’re with you,” assented Ned; and Bob nodded his head to show that he agreed.
Their trip over the Colorado, hovering in the air about half a mile above the river, was devoid of incident for the first two hundred miles. They made that in one day, and camped the first night just over the border of Arizona. From there the Grand Canyon proper starts, though it is of comparative little grandeur until the Little Colorado, a salty stream, joins the main body of water.
It was about noon, the next day, that the boys really got over the great canyon. They had been sailing along, talking of the prospect before them, and Professor Snodgrass had been classifying some of the specimens he had caught while at Mr. Montrose’s house, when the aspect of things suddenly changed.
“Don’t you think it’s about time we ate?” asked Bob, with a look at his watch, as he started for the galley.
Jerry happened to look down through the plate glass window in the floor of the main cabin, where they were all gathered, for the Comet was being steered automatically.
“Eat!” cried the tall lad. “Eat! Look down there, and then say ‘eat’ again if you dare!”