The luxury of a camp fire was enjoyed while they slept, and, although no watch was kept, the night—if night it really was—passed without alarm.
Colonel Carrington had managed to retain during his captivity a small note-book and pencil. In this he kept a record of the journey, jotting down each night the incidents of the day's cruise, and a page from this diary will convey to the reader a clear idea of the uneventful manner in which the first week passed away—a week in long-to-be-remembered contrast to the dreadful period that followed.
Third stage.—Traveled all day on smooth water. Rocky shores. Camped on an island. Could find no wood and slept in the dark.
Fourth stage.—Today we passed rocky islands in great profusion. Once far overhead we saw a single gleam of light shining in from a crevice. So far our calculation is correct. Day is day, and night is night.
Fifth stage.—Nothing important. Ran a few rapids and camped on the right shore on a sandy beach.
Sixth stage.—All goes well. We are making many miles a day. The current continues strong. Camped on flat rock in midstream.
Seventh stage.—Current still good. River very wide and obstructed with rocks. Narrowly missed an upset several times.
Eighth stage.—Traveled rapidly. Camped on a big spit of sand on right shore. Vast cavern behind us. Too sleepy to explore it.
Here the peaceful monotony of the colonel's record ended. On this sloping, sandy beach began the first of that string of adventures which to their last moment will send a shudder through those who participated in them.
As the colonel stated, they were so weary from the long day's journey that no investigation was made of the vast cavern that lay behind them.