They were out of the camp, tearing through the thicket before the
Professor and Walter had even gotten beyond the glow of the
fire. Ned was obliged to make a wide detour instead of taking a
short cut across the bend made by the river. There were rocks in his
way, so that a few moments of valuable time were lost before he
reached the stream on the other side of the obstruction.

"Come, we must run," urged the Professor. "I'm afraid both of them
may have gone over the falls."

"Oh, I hope he is not too late!" answered Walter, with a half sob,
as they ran regardless of the fact that sharp sticks and jagged
stones were cruelly cutting into their feet.



CHAPTER III

THE BOYS RESCUE EACH OTHER

Ned swung around the bend at a tremendous pace. He was able to see
little about him, though as he once more reached the bank he could
tell where the river lay, because the river gorge lay in a deeper
shadow than did the rest of the landscape about him.

"Oh, Tad! Tad!" he shouted.

A faint call answered him. He was not quite sure that it was not an
echo of his own voice.