As in former times, the Professor cautioned them against haste during the initial portion of the journey, and until they became accustomed to the rough part of the work. Much of the time during the first few days could be devoted to hunting, so as to get a good supply of food, which, later on, might be of great service to them.
The course decided on was to go directly west, and after entering the forest to move southwardly until the South River was reached, and thus pass the falls. Ralph and George had never been in that section of the island, and all were desirous of again visiting the spot where so many of their experiences had taken place, and in a region that gave them the most startling surprises and mysteries, some of which were not yet unraveled.
Shortly after the noonday hour the roaring of the falling water was distinctly heard, and the boys hurried forward to see it, followed by the wagon.
"Here is the place we found the lifeboat—the one we have at Cataract—right across the river, near that tree. A little farther up we'll show you where we put our boat—that is the one we started out with to explore the river, and the one which disappeared."
While passing up toward the falls, John stopped suddenly at a mass of the driftwood, and called to Tom, who was nearest, "Pull that log over; I want to see what this is."
Tom obeyed at once, and while he held up the log indicated, John, after considerable exertion, drew forth a smaller log, which had evidently been cut off with some dull tool, and when Harry came to the rescue the entire log was extricated, and all saw a piece of rope attached, and the indication at two places where evidently it had been in scraping contact with some other timbers.
"Did you see the rope?" asked the Professor, "before the log attracted you?"
"No; the end of the log could not have been broken off in that manner, and when it was drawn out the rope followed."
"It is the same kind of rope we found on our boat at the beach. The boat, as you remember, was left by us a little above this place."
"I do not remember ever having been here before," answered John.