"You will have to take things easy for a while, after we get to our journey's end," Dick told him. "A sprained ankle is a bad job, and you may feel it for many weeks. I can look back and remember how long it took me to get over a wrenched ankle some years ago." At that Roger laughed aloud. "I haven't forgotten that time, either, let me tell you, Dick. We were off on a hunt when you tripped. How your ankle did swell up; it frightened me, I tell you! But that cold spring water helped a lot to take the swelling down." "Yes, and I can see you now, staggering along with me on your back," continued Dick, bending a look of sincere affection upon his cousin. "That was the heaviest load you ever undertook to tote, I wager." "But I got there, didn't I?" demanded the other, proudly, "winded though I was. And I made you a pretty fine crutch which you hobbled around on for weeks, not being able to put your foot on the ground." Many times, as they talked, did these fond memories of the past arise to haunt them. The further they went from their well-loved homes the sharper the pictures seemed to become in their minds. Their dreams were mostly of those dear ones whose faces were forever before them, in the clear waters, while threading the mazes of the forest, or even looking out upon the glittering sands of the burning desert. When, that afternoon, a halt was made, Captain Lewis cheered them with the announcement that there could be little doubt they would reach the mouth of the big river by the following night at the latest. Indeed, as the men had already discovered that the water was strongly impregnated with salt, they hardly needed this assurance to convince them that their long journey was on the eve of termination. They gave the commander a hearty cheer, however, when he told them this welcome fact, then set about making what was certainly one of the happiest camps of the entire trip. As usual the two boys talked things over while they sat resting after supper had been dispatched. Roger had sniffed the air several times, and he finally broke out with a declaration. "There seems to be something queer in the air, Dick; something I've never before noticed in all my life. And to tell you the truth, I can make nothing of it." "I may be wrong," Dick told him; "but, from all I've heard grandfather say, I think that must be the salty taste they say one can notice when the air comes straight off the sea. If that is so, it proves we are close to the mouth of the river right now." After that Roger amused himself by sniffing the air many times. It seemed to give him fresh encouragement to have a silent but powerful proof carried by the night breeze to their river camp.