in search of Indians, a lively recollection of the first boat
expedition begetting plenty of caution.

And all the while they sailed on and on towards the grand falls, which
rapidly grew in size as they were approached, the water thundering down
and the face of the cataract being obscured by the cloud of mist which
rose slowly till it was wafted away to fade in the glorious sunshine.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

A GREAT DANGER.

So rapt were all the party in the awe-inspiring scene and in the beauty
of the falls--which were broken up by island-like rocks peering out grey
and green right across, so that as the adventurers drew nearer it was to
gaze at the beauties of at least a dozen falls instead of one, as they
had expected--that they did not notice how the wind was dropping as they
advanced, nor yet the change that had taken place in the river current.

It was Brace who first marked the alteration whilst he was noticing the
numbers of fish leaping and darting away in front of the boat as she
glided on.

"We ought almost to stop and fish here," observed Briscoe. "We might
have better luck with a smaller bait."

"Perhaps we had better try," said Brace; "but I say, Mr Lynton, look
here: what do you make of this?"

"Make of what?" said the mate.

"We are not sailing nearly so fast as we were a short time ago."

"Oh, I don't know: we're making much about the same way."

"But the boat does not rush through the water as she did."

"That's right," said Briscoe. "A bit ago she nearly dipped gunwale
under several times."

"I noticed that," said Brace, "and that's the reason I called attention
to the smooth way we are now progressing. There's just the same amount
of wind blowing."

"Yes; I say, Lynton, this isn't right," said Briscoe, in a sharp tone of
voice.

"What isn't right?" said the mate testily. "We're making splendid way.
The boat's sailing along beautifully."

"Yes, too beautifully," said Briscoe. "Can't you see what Mr Brace
here means?"

"No; I can't see anything wrong," answered Lynton, in a grumbling tone.

"Look then," cried Brace, excitedly now; "you had better put her about
at once and make for the other side."

"What for?"

"Can't you see?" cried Brace. "We were sailing against the stream a bit
ago; but we're sailing with it now."

"Nonsense; that can't be," said the mate contemptuously.

"But we are," cried Brace warmly. "Look and see."

"Yes, that's right enough, sir," crie