The broader road that led from the gate up to the Hawkers' house was plainly perceptible, but the little path which turned up to the cottage was not so easily found, and when found, not easily kept on such a black wild night as this.
But, at length, having hit it, he began to follow it with some difficulty, and soon beginning to descend rapidly, he caught sight of a light, and, at the same moment, heard the rushing of water.
"Oh," said he to himself, "the water is come down, and I shall have a nice job to get across it.

Any people but the Jewels would have made some sort of a bridge by now; but they have been content with a fallen tree ever since the old bridge was carried away." He scrambled down the steep hill side with great difficulty, and not without one or two nasty slips, which, to a man of his age, was no trifle, but at length stood trembling with exertion before a flooded brook, across which lay a fallen tree, dimly seen in the dark against the gleam of the rushing water.
"I must stand and steady my nerves a bit after that tumble," he said, "before I venture over there.

That's the 'Brig of Dread' with a vengeance.

However, I never came to harm yet when I was after duty, so I'll chance it." The cottage stood just across the brook, and he halloed aloud for some one to come.

After a short time the door opened, and a man appeared with a lantern.
"Who is there ?" demanded Dr.Mulhaus' wellknown voice.