s formed of fragments and
masses of rock, which had fallen from the cliffs above. He made his way
with infinite caution, giving heed to every foothold, and feeling before
him with his hands. Fortunately there was little snow to obstruct him;
for what had descended into the gorge was lodged in the crevices of the
stones. He crawled over heaps of rubble, digging his toes in, to keep
from sliding into the water; and there were great hundred-ton boulders,
over which he dragged himself on his stomach. Above the canyon there
were no stars visible; and below, it was wrapped in darkness, thick,
velvety, palpable as lamp-black.

After measuring the inches of a long and painful journey over the
stones, he sensed at last that he was drawing near the camp again. He
redoubled his caution, hugging close to the wall of rock. Presently it
fell away to the right; and before him he distinguished a faint whitish
blur that he knew for the tepee. He stretched himself out to listen.
Under all was the deadened boom of the falls; below him an indefinable
murmur arose from the smooth river, and an occasional eddy slapped the
stones; in front he was vaguely conscious of the three persons moving to
and fro, and he heard the dull chink of each stone, as it ground its
edges on the pile. They had relaxed their caution somewhat; once or
twice a stone, rolling out of place, plumped into the water. They were
at work at the other end of their barricade from Garth.

He considered what he should do. His brain was working very
clearly--dragging his exhausted body along after, as it were; for
excitement and over-exertion had produced a curious feeling of
detachment from it. As he waited there, the work on the barricade
ceased; and a whispered consultation was held. If he could only hear!
Afterward two figures approached the tepee and entered. Instantly
Garth let himself down over the rocks behind, and snaking his body
through the bit of herbage on the flat, applied his ear to the
bottom of the canvas.

He heard Mabyn's voice ask querulously: "What was it you said to her?"

"Told her to sit on top of the wall, and watch," Grylls carelessly
answered. "They can't cross the river until morning, but we're not
taking any chances, just the same. She's to watch, too, that the lady
doesn't try to sneak the raft across to her friends."

"You're going to clear out in the morning?" Mabyn asked anxiously.

"Not on your life!" the other coolly returned. "We got she