k woods which rose almost from the water's edge. But these woods
were not the only thing which demanded attention. There was a water
inlet to the river hidden amongst their dark aisles. Furthermore, high
up, overlooking the river, a wide ledge stood out from the wall, and
that which had been discovered upon it was not without suspicion in
their minds.

For some moments after landing Kars stood looking back across the
river. His searching gaze was taking in every detail of the defences
he had set up across the water. When he finally turned it was to
observe the watercourse cascading down a great rift in the walls of the
gorge.

"Guess this is the weak link, Bill," he said. "It's a way down to the
water's edge. The only way down in a stretch of two miles on this
side. And it's plumb in front of us."

Bill nodded agreement.

"Sure. And that queer old shack half-way up. We best make that right
away."

The canoe was hauled clear of the racing stream, and left secure. Then
they moved up the rocky foreshore where the inlet had cut its way
through the heart of the woods.

It was a curious, almost cavernous opening. Nor was there a detail of
it that was not water-worn as far up the confining walls of drab rock
as the eyes could see.

Once within the entrance, however, the scene was completely changed,
and robbed of the general sternness which prevailed outside. It was
not without some charm.

The split was far greater than had seemed from the distance. It was a
tumbled mass of tremendous boulders, amidst which the forest of
primordial pines found root room where none seemed possible, and craned
their ragged heads towards the light so far above them. And, in the
midst of this confusion, the mountain stream poured down from heights
above, droning out its ceaseless song of movement in a cadence that
seemed wholly out of place amidst such surroundings.

The whole place was burdened under a semi-twilight, induced by the
crowning foliage so frantically jealous of its rights. Of undergrowth
there was no vestige. Only the deep carpet of cones and pine needles,
which clogged the crevices, and frequently concealed pitfalls for the
steps of those sufficiently unwary. This, and a general saturation
from the spray of the falling waters, left the upward climb something
more than arduous.

It was nearly an hour later when the two men stood on the narrow
plateau cut in the side of the gorge, and overlooking the g