It was all fancy of course, and so it was that the pines rose up so black that it was hard work to make out the landmarks in the valley which had grown familiar during our many wanderings.
Twice over we stopped to argue, for Esau was positive and obstinate to a degree, insisting that we had come to the right ravine, while I was as sure that we had not.
He gave way sulkily, assuring me that I was going right on past it, and at last I began to think he must be correct. For I had lost all count of time in my excitement, and I stopped short.
“I’ve taken you right by it, Esau,” I said sadly. “We must go back.”
“No, you haven’t,” he replied, to my great surprise. “I’ve thought since that couldn’t be it, because there was no open pool just below the fall. Don’t you remember, where we saw so many trout?”
“Of course,” I cried; “I remember now. Then it is lower down, and we ought to hear the noise of falling water.”
We listened, but there was only the rumbling roar of the river down on our left.
“I’m afraid we’re wrong,” I said despondently. “If it only were not so dark!”
“Let’s go on a bit further first,” said Esau; and I followed him full of doubts, till we turned a corner where the river made a sudden bend, and Esau uttered a low cry.
“There it is,” he said. “Hark!”