Possibly he was even trying to ascertain if there were not a third cavern midway down the fall to account for the fact that the Rjukan at intervals projects straight outward into space a mass of water and spray, making it appear as if the waters had suddenly been scattered in a fine spray over the surrounding fields by some terrific explosion in the rear of the fall.
And now the daring tourist was slowly but persistently making his way over the rough and slippery ledge of rock, destitute alike of shrubbery or grass, know as the Passe de Marie, or the Maristien.
It is more than probable, however, that he was ignorant of the legend that has made this pass so widely know.

One day Eystein endeavored to reach his betrothed, the beautiful Marie of Vesfjorddal, by this dangerous path.

His sweetheart was holding out her arms to him from the other side of the gorge, when suddenly he lost his footing, fell, slipped further and further down the ledge of rock which is as smooth as glass, and disappeared forever in the seething rapids of the Maan.
Was this rash traveler about to meet a similar fate?
It seemed only too probable; and in fact he soon perceived the danger of his position, though not until it was too late.

Suddenly his foot slipped, he uttered a cry, and after rolling nearly twenty feet, he finally succeeded in securing a hold upon a projecting rock on the very edge of the abyss.
Joel and Hulda, though they had not yet caught sight of him, heard his cry.
"What is that ?" exclaimed Joel, springing to his feet.
"A cry!" replied Hulda.
"Yes, a cry of distress." "From what direction did it come ?" "Let us listen." Both looked first to the right, and then to the left of the fall, but they saw nothing, though they had certainly heard the words "Help! help!" uttered during one of the intervals between each rebound of the Rjukan.
The cry was repeated.
"Joel, some one who is in danger is calling for help," cried Hulda.
"We must go to his aid." "Yes, sister; and he can not be far off.

But in what direction?
Where is he?
I see no one." Hulda hastily climbed a little knoll behind the mossy rock upon which she had been sitting.
"Joel!" she cried, suddenly.
"Do you see him ?" "There, there!" As she spoke she pointed to the imprudent man whose body seemed to be almost overhanging the abyss.