They found themselves almost on the edge of a cataract, which they had heard roaring for some time. The foaming water was rushing down in great cascades, sending up white spray as fine as steam.
"Let's see that thing now," said Fred, borrowing Jerry's glass.
"If that's a rock I'll eat it," he added.
Hawke also made another examination, and said as before that it looked like a cliff dwelling or tower.
"It's quite a ways up there yet," he said. "We'd better get a move on us."
They entered a heavy growth of timber shortly, and Carl was obliged to come and take the lead. It was beginning to get cold, and all the boys had put on their coats.
"It's most three, ain't it?" asked Jerry, who had not brought his watch.
Hawke took out his timepiece and said, "Just three." Then he added: "Do you think we can make this to-day?"
"We can tell better when we get out of these woods," answered Carl. "I think you'll be quite near it then."
In a short while they reached the outskirts of the timber growth, and, as Carl had predicted, found themselves very near the spot they had aimed for. They could see it plainly now, a sort of square dwelling or tower, the base of it thickly covered with various green shrubs and vines. But they were hopelessly separated from it by a deep and wide ravine, down which rushed a great torrent of roaring water.