"Listen! It's a dangerous swim, unless you're feeling pretty husky. It wouldn't do to take any chances."
"We'd starve over here—nothing else for us to do, Howard."
"The cataract is about a quarter of a mile below," went on Fenton. "If you should miss the ledge where we had the fire last night—well—nothing can save you. But when you get near enough, we'll throw a line. Grab it and hang on for all you are worth."
Fenton tried to speak lightly, but his tones showed a suppressed agitation which the boys did not fail to notice.
"Well," said Sam, in an undertone, gritting his teeth and glancing at the gurgling water, "we aren't out of the woods yet."
"We'll be in 'em sure enough when we strike the water," observed Dave, with a faint smile.
"I'll go first," announced Bob, "and the best place to start from is the upper end of the valley." Then, raising his voice, he yelled, "Are you ready, Howard? Got your rope?"
Quickly, the three walked to the most favorable point on the beach.
"Good-bye, fellows, I'll see you on the other side."
It was a moment that none of the little group would ever forget. Dave Brandon and Sam Randall gripped the captain's hand.