e presented
an unbroken perpendicular wall of stone falling sheer to the water, damp
and slimy with drippings, while overhead was empty space, a dome of vast
height, to judge from the echo of their voices.

They paddled on and on, pausing occasionally to rest their weary arms,
then dashing away with more vigor than ever. Not for an instant did they
lose sight of the shore. It was their only guide. At last Sir Arthur's
arm dropped feebly, and it was seen that he was half asleep. Canaris
took the torch from his hand, and sinking into the bottom of the canoe,
the ex-governor fell instantly into a deep slumber.

"I'm actually getting drowsy myself," confessed the colonel. "It must be
night. Surely we ought to be halfway round the lake by this time."

Guy admitted that he, too, was beginning to grow sleepy, and as Forbes
and Canaris alone professed to be as fresh as ever, it was decided that
they should navigate the canoe for a time and allow the others an
opportunity to rest.

Chutney and the colonel stretched themselves on the rugs and Melton
paddled slowly forward, while Canaris held the torch from the stern.

Hours passed, and still they continued to follow the rocky shore amid
silence, broken only by the swish of the paddle, for neither Forbes nor
Canaris cared to converse.

Wrapped in their own gloomy reflections they crouched in the stern,
keeping silent vigil over their sleeping companions.

An intense desire for sleep now laid hold on Melton, and with great
reluctance he woke Guy and the colonel. It required a dash of cold water
to bring them to their senses.

"Are we still on this horrible lake?" exclaimed Chutney. "How long have
we been asleep?"

"Several hours at least," replied Melton.

"Several hours? Whew! What a lake this is! We must surely be near the
outlet now. But you are sleepy and worn out, Melton, and so is Canaris.
Look, he can hardly keep his eyes open. Go lie down, both of you. The
colonel and I will see to the canoe, and you will wake up twenty miles
down the river."

Melton handed over his paddle to Guy, and the colonel relieved the Greek
of the torch.

Canaris was asleep almost instantly, and Melton was just arranging the
rugs to make himself a comfortable spot, when Chutney cried gladly, "I
can hear water running. I'm sure of it. Do you hear it, too, colonel?"

"Yes," said the colonel, after a pause. "I do hear something, that's a
fact. We are approaching the outlet of the lake,