e."

"Now for our direction. Do you think we can strike the river at the
right place?"

"I'll be perfectly satisfied if we strike the river anywhere."

"Then why not go directly north, and we can reach it a mile or two
sooner than the way we are now going."

"Good idea! Here we go!"

It was a lucky thing that they decided to take a different course from
the river, because they soon discovered that the ridge they were on ran
for a long distance almost directly north, and that the woods were not
nearly so dense as they were in the course they had followed.

At frequent intervals they came upon new game, and brought down a number
of additional specimens, until Harry protested against any further
stopping.

"It seems to me we have enough to last a week, and it is getting mighty
heavy at this end of the pole."

"Well, it does seem to be an awful distance over to the river. Are you
sure we aren't mixed up in the direction?"

"Of course not. The mountains are right behind us, and the shadow at our
right. You can't fool me the second time," answered Harry, as he shifted
the pole to the other shoulder.

While thus talking they caught the first glimpse of the river, and it
was hailed with delight.

"Whenever I get near the old river it feels like home. My! how I would
like to put in several days in a further hunt over toward the mountains.
I am sure we would turn up something there."

They reached the river a considerable distance above the falls, and
without stopping to rest, went down along the bank for a full hour
before they came within hearing of the rushing water.

They sat down on the craggy rocks alongside of the stream and took a
good rest. "This will be interesting news for the Professor," said
George, musingly, as he watched the rushing stream.

"Indeed, it will. I should not be surprised to find that the natives are
directly south of us, or rather west of the mountains."

"That may account for the fact that they have never been near our part
of the island."

When they took up the load to resume the journey, it was still heavier,
apparently, than before, and they were now so thoroughly tired that
frequent stops were made, but in another hour they had the satisfaction
of seeing the large trees that had been singled out for their guidance.

It was a great relief to deposit the load on the raft, and it did not
take long to swing the raft under the wagon and start the yaks on the
homeward journey. The