12 Three Yoimg Crusoe s 



intently. Was it the waves pounding on the beach? 

 No, the beach was unusually quiet. It sounded like 

 it must be a waterfall! And, still, nothing but 

 the forbidding sides of the steep mountains appeared 

 to be ahead of them, with the ocean curving out of 

 sight at their base. It seemed strange; he must in- 

 vestigate. "Will you go with me or shall I go 

 alone .^" he said. 



*' We will all stick together," they replied. 



Down the other side of the ridge they went, stumb- 

 ling more than once, but not stopping until they 

 came to the bank of a little stream about the size 

 ot a trout-brook, which had worn its way through 

 the rocky mountain wall and formed a deep, wind- 

 ing gorge. The sound of the waterfall was very dis- 

 tinct now and they had only to follow the bank of 

 the stream through the gorge to bring it into view. 

 The volume of water was not great, but it fell from 

 a considerable height in three stages and spread out 

 near the bottom like a bridal veil. On the rocky 

 banks at the sides and behind the waterfall were 

 quantities of delicate ferns, continually wet with 

 spray; while in the pool below fish were frequently 

 seen darting up at insects floating on the surface. 



The weary travellers sat down on a rock and rev- 

 eled in the sight. Here was cool shade and sweet. 



