The schooner could not have been more happily located by
one possessed of an absolute knowledge of the coast under the most
favourable conditions, and that she should have come there as she had
was nothing short of a miracle.
Filled with thankfulness for their marvellous escape the lads gazed
about them curious to discover by what means they had gained this haven
of refuge. On three sides they could see only the grim fronts of
inaccessible cliffs. On the fourth was a strip of beach and a cleft
through which poured a plume-like waterfall white as a wreath of driven
snow.
"Did we come in that way?" asked Cabot, pointing to this torrent of
silver spray.
"I suppose we must have," rejoined White soberly; "for I can't see any
other opening, and it certainly felt last night as though we were
sailing over the brink of a dozen waterfalls. But let's get breakfast,
for I'm as hungry as a wolf. Then there'll be time enough to find out
how we got in here, as well as how we are to get out again."
After a hearty meal they got the dinghy overboard and started on a tour
of exploration. First they visited the beach and found a rude pathway
leading up beside the waterfall that promised exit from the basin to an
active climber.
"In spite of all the wonderful happenings of last night I don't believe
we came in that way," said Cabot.
"No," laughed White, "the old 'Bee's' wings aren't quite strong enough
for that yet, though there's no saying what she may do with practice.
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