into the crust, without ever leaving the surface
of the earth."

As it was understood that the boys should take at least a day each week
for hunting, particularly since such sport would develop expertness in
the use of their weapons, an early start was made on the day selected,
which was within a week of the time they returned home.

Ever since the disappearance of the boat left at the falls in South
River, there was some anxiety on that score. It was a frequent topic of
conversation, and after they left home it was by a mutual impulse that
they wended their way south, taking a trail which was now familiar to
them.

"See here, Harry, I should like to go to the place where I discovered
South River, and where I had the experience with the snake and the
strange animal, which frightened me so."

[Illustration: _Fig. 11. MOUNTAIN UPHEAVAL_]

"Then we must go to the left, because, you remember, you came up between
these hills, and crossed the stream where I found you."

It was about three miles across from the Cataract house, but less from
their original home. When they reached the river the surroundings were
very much unlike anything George had seen before, and he could not
identify the place where the ramie plant had been found.

The ocean could be seen plainly from their position, and George thought
they were too far east, which proved to be the case.

"Here it is, Harry; here is a low place, and you can see the ramie plant
all about here. I am sure of it."

"Is this the place you lost the hatchet?"

"So I did: I'll show you the place." But he failed to find the hatchet.
Subsequently Harry stumbled across it, but it was found some distance
from the place where George declared he lost it.

"Let us try to cross the river. We can do it if we find a couple of
logs."

At a bend of the river they found a lot of driftwood caught in the roots
of a tree, and after some work a number of pieces were cut and laid
crosswise on each other.

After the experiences of several expeditions of this kind, to say
nothing of the exploring trips, the need of the bolo and ropes impressed
itself on their minds. They were never without them.

The river at this point was fully one hundred feet wide, but by the aid
of long poles the raft was not long in making the trip. After properly
securing it they took up their weapons and at once made a dive for the
interior.

The trees were fairly thick, and before going very far Harry checke