At length, however, the hotel wharf was reached, and the boys jumped ashore.
They found great excitement at the Resort House. Groups had congregated, eagerly discussing the accident.
The arrival of Sam, Tom and Phil furnished fresh interest. The three were besieged with questions, and they, in turn, asked many others.
"Yes, we saw it," said Philip Brown, the proprietor's son. "A searching party has already gone off to the place where Canyon River comes out of the gorge. Dear knows how long it will take them to get there."
"An' when they do, 'twon't be any use, I calc'late," remarked "Big Bill" Dugan, the stage-driver. "I tole Fenton many a time ter look out fur that current. Awful news fur his dad, when he gits back."
"Where is Mr. Fenton?" asked Sam.
"Went a-ridin' jist afore Howard put off in the boat. It beats me, it does—this business."
"Say, Sam, let's go over to White Rocks," suggested Phil Levins. "Coming, Tom? You can get a good idea of the current there."
"Like as not yer'll drop in," growled Dugan. "Best keep away. It's 'nuff ter have one stranger carried down, without bein' plumb crazy 'nuff ter run any more chances."
But the boys had already started off.