It will be unnecessary to chronicle the incidents of the journey, for there were none worth mentioning. In due time they reached Niagara, and secured rooms at the principal hotel on the American side.
It was afternoon, and they only went round a little before supper. They decided to defer the principal part of their sightseeing until the next day.
The next day was pleasant. Together the two walked about, enjoying views of the cataract from various points.
At length Cromwell said, "How would you like to go to Goat Island? I am told the view is fine from there."
"I should like it very much. Suppose we go," said Robert, promptly.
Had he known the sinister purpose with which this proposition was made, he would have recoiled from it as from a deadly serpent, but the boy was wholly unconscious of the peril that menaced him, nor did he observe the nervous agitation that affected James Cromwell, whose timidity made him shrink with fear at the risk he was about to incur.
"Then we will go," said the young man.
They soon found themselves on the island, and advancing, reached an exposed point from which they could look down upon the foaming waters beneath. Cromwell manœuvered so as to have the boy on the side toward the water.
"What a grand sight!" exclaimed Robert, surveying the great fall with boyish enthusiasm.