After a while the hills approached more nearly, gradually the broad river dwindled to a mere stream, so narrow and small at last, that even their tiny boat could go no farther.
Hugh was forced to leave off rowing.
"I suppose we are meant to go on shore here," he said.

"The boat won't go any farther, any way." Jeanne was peering forward: just before them the brook, or what still remained of it, almost disappeared in a narrow little gorge between the hills.
"Cheri," said she, "I shouldn't wonder if the stream gets wider again on the other side of this little narrow place.

Don't you think we'd better try to pull the boat through, and then we might get into it again ?" "Perhaps," said Hugh.

"We may try." So out the children got--Jeanne pulled in front, Hugh pushed behind.

It was so very light that there was no difficulty as to its weight; only the gorge was so narrow that at last the boat stuck fast.
"We'd better leave it and clamber through ourselves," said Hugh.
"But, O Cheri, we can't!" cried Jeanne.