"Of course not. The mountains are right behind us, and the shadow at our right. You can't fool me the second time," answered Harry, as he shifted the pole to the other shoulder.
While thus talking they caught the first glimpse of the river, and it was hailed with delight.
"Whenever I get near the old river it feels like home. My! how I would like to put in several days in a further hunt over toward the mountains. I am sure we would turn up something there."
They reached the river a considerable distance above the falls, and without stopping to rest, went down along the bank for a full hour before they came within hearing of the rushing water.
They sat down on the craggy rocks alongside of the stream and took a good rest. "This will be interesting news for the Professor," said George, musingly, as he watched the rushing stream.
"Indeed, it will. I should not be surprised to find that the natives are directly south of us, or rather west of the mountains."
"That may account for the fact that they have never been near our part of the island."
When they took up the load to resume the journey, it was still heavier, apparently, than before, and they were now so thoroughly tired that frequent stops were made, but in another hour they had the satisfaction of seeing the large trees that had been singled out for their guidance.
It was a great relief to deposit the load on the raft, and it did not take long to swing the raft under the wagon and start the yaks on the homeward journey. The Cataract came in sight before six in the evening, and the Professor was on hand to welcome them.
"Did you have a good time?" he inquired; but as he looked over the tailboard and saw the fruit of the hunt, exclaimed: "You must have gotten everything over there."