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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon</p> +<p> or The Hermit of the Cave</p> +<p>Author: James Carson</p> +<p>Release Date: June 15, 2007 [eBook #21841]</p> +<p>[Last updated: March 10, 2011]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Mark C. Orton, Thomas Strong, Linda McKeown,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<a name="bookspine" id="bookspine"></a> +<p class="center"><a name="image-1" id="image-1"><!-- Image 1 --></a> +<img src="images/covers.jpg" class="jpg" height="600" width="400" alt="BOOK COVER" title="caption" /></p> +<p class="image"><a name="cover" id="cover" href="images/coverx.jpg" class="image"> +View larger image</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> + +<h1 class="space">The Saddle Boys<br /> +in the Grand Canyon</h1> + +<h4>Or</h4> + +<h3>The Hermit of the Cave</h3> + +<br /> + +<h4>BY</h4> + +<br /> + +<h2>CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON</h2> + +<p class="center">AUTHOR OF "THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES," "THE SADDLE<br /> +BOYS ON THE PLAINS," "THE SADDLE BOYS AT<br /> +CIRCLE RANCH," ETC.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<h3>ILLUSTRATED</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">new york</span><br /> +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY<br /> +<span class="smcap">publishers</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span> + +<p class="center">BOOKS FOR BOYS<br /></p> + +<p class="center">BY CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON</p> + +<h3>THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES</h3> + +<p class="center">12mo. Cloth. Illustrated.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 9em;">THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES<br /> + Or, Lost On Thunder Mountain<br /><br /> + +THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON<br /> + Or, The Hermit of the Cave<br /><br /> + +THE SADDLE BOYS ON THE PLAINS<br /> + Or, After a Treasure of Gold<br /><br /> + +THE SADDLE BOYS AT CIRCLE RANCH<br /> + Or, In At The Grand Round-Up</p><br /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Cupples & Leon Co Publishers, New York</span>.</p> + +<hr /> +<p class="center">Copyrighted 1913, by<br /> +<span class="smcap">Cupples & Leon Company</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon</span></p> +<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 25em;">Printed in U.S.A.</span> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> + +<a name="toc" id="toc"></a> +<h2 class="space">CONTENTS</h2> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents" style="width: 80%;"> + <tr> + <td align='right' style="width: 10%;">CHAPTER.</td> + <td align='right' style="width: 70%;"> </td> + <td align='right' style="width: 20%;">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>I.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Work of the Wolf Pack</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>II.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ridding the Range of a Pest</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_II">11</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>III.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Floating Bottle</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_III">21</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>IV.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Listener Under the Window</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">34</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>V.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Starting for the Grand Canyon</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_V">46</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>VI.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Buckskin on Guard</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">54</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>VII.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Standing by the Law</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">62</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>VIII.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Moqui Who Was Caught Napping</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">71</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>IX.</td> + <td align='left'>"<span class="smcap">Talk About Luck!</span>"</td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">79</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>X.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Copper-colored Messenger</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_X">87</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XI.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">At the Grand Canyon</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">98</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XII.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">How the Little Trap Worked</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">105</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XIII.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Going Down the Canyon Trail</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">116</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XIV.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Home of the Cliff Dwellers</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">124</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XV.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Treacherous Guide</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">135</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XVI.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Wonderful Discovery</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">143</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XVII.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Windows in the Rocky Walls</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">151</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XVIII.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Finding a Way Up</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">158</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XIX.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Fortune Still Favors The Brave</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">167</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XX.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Another Surprise</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">175</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XXI.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Little Old Man of Echo Cave</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">184</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align='right'>XXII.</td> + <td align='left'><span class="smcap">Turning the Tables—Conclusion</span></td> + <td align='right'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">195</a></td> + </tr> + </table><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> + +<hr /> + +<h1 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I">THE SADDLE BOYS IN<br /> +THE GRAND CANYON</a></h1> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span> +<br /> + +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE WORK OF THE WOLF PACK</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"Hold up, Bob!"</p> + +<p>"Any signs of the lame yearling, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Well, there seems to be something over +yonder to the west; but the sage crops up, and +interferes a little with my view."</p> + +<p>"Here, take the field glasses and look; while +I cinch my saddle girth, which has loosened +again."</p> + +<p>Frank Haywood adjusted the glasses to his +eye. Then, rising in his saddle, he gazed long +and earnestly in the direction he had indicated. +Meanwhile his companion, also a lad, a native of +Kentucky, and answering to the name of Bob +Archer, busied himself about the band of his saddle, +having leaped to the ground.</p> + +<p>Frank was the only son of a rancher and mine +owner, Colonel Leonidas Haywood, who was +a man of some wealth. Frank had blue eyes, and +tawny-colored hair; and, since much of his life +had been spent on the plains among the cattle +men, he knew considerable about the ways of cowboys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +and hunters, though always ready to pick +up information from veterans of the trail.</p> + +<p>Bob had come to the far Southwest as a tenderfoot; +but, being quick to learn, he hoped to graduate +from that class after a while. Having always +been fond of outdoor sports in his Kentucky +home, he was, at least, no greenhorn. When he +came to the new country where his father was interested +with Frank's in mining ventures, Bob +had brought his favorite Kentucky horse, a coal-black +stallion known as "Domino," and which +vied with Frank's native "Buckskin" in good +qualities.</p> + +<p>These two lads were so much abroad on horseback +that they had become known as the "Saddle +Boys." They loved nothing better than to ride +the plains, mounted on their pet steeds, and go almost +everywhere the passing whim tempted them.</p> + +<p>Of course, in that wonderland there was always +a chance for adventure when one did much +wandering; and that Frank and Bob saw their +share of excitement can be readily understood. +Some of the strange things that happened to them +have already been narrated in the first volume +of this series, "The Saddle Boys of the Rockies, +Or, Lost on Thunder Mountain," and which, in +a way, is an introduction to the present story. In +the first book the boys cleared up a wonderful +mystery concerning a great cavern.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> + +<p>For several minutes Bob was busily engaged +with the saddle girth that had been giving him +considerable trouble on this gallop.</p> + +<p>"There," he remarked, finally, throwing down +the flap as though satisfied with his work. "I +reckon I've got it fixed now so that it will hold +through the day; but I need a new girth, and +when we pull up again at Circle Ranch I'll see +about getting it. Oh! did you make out anything +with the glasses, Frank?"</p> + +<p>He sprang into the saddle like one who had +spent much of his time on horseback. Domino +curvetted and pranced a little, being still full of +mettle and spirits; but a very firm hand held +him in.</p> + +<p>"Take the glass, and see if you can make out +what it is," Frank remarked, as if he hardly knew +himself, or felt like trusting his eyes.</p> + +<p>A minute later Bob lowered the glasses.</p> + +<p>"There's something on the ground, and I can +catch a glimpse of what looks like a dun-colored +hide through the tufts of buffalo grass. The +yearling was red, you said, Frank? All right. +Then I reckon we'll find her there; but not on her +feet."</p> + +<p>"Come on!"</p> + +<p>As he said these curt words Frank let Buckskin +have his head; and, accompanied by his chum, +started at a full gallop over the level, in the direction<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> +of the spot where the dun-colored object +had been sighted.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward they topped a little rise, and +pulled up. No need to doubt their eyes now. Just +before them lay the mangled remains of the lame +yearling, very little being left to tell the story of +how the animal had met its fate.</p> + +<p>"Wolves!" said Frank, gloomily, as he sat +looking down at the torn hide.</p> + +<p>"I don't know the signs as well as you, Frank, +but I'd say the same from general indications. And +they had a royal good feast, too. This makes a +round half dozen head your father has lost in +the last month, doesn't it?" asked Bob.</p> + +<p>"Seven, all told. When Bart Heminway told +me he had noticed that one of those fine yearlings +seemed lame, I wondered if something wasn't +going to happen to it soon. And then, when we +missed it from the herd last night, I guessed what +had come about. They caught her behind the +rest, and pulled her down. The poor thing didn't +have a ghost of a show against that pack of savage +wolf-dogs."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to have just one chance at them, that's +all," grumbled Bob, as he let his hand fondle the +butt of a modern repeating rifle, which he carried +fastened to his saddle.</p> + +<p>"This is sure the limit, and it's just got to +stop!" declared Frank, grimly.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> + +<p>"Right now?" queried his chum, eagerly.</p> + +<p>Two pairs of flashing eyes met, the black ones +sending a challenge toward the blue.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" said Frank, shutting his jaws +hard, "the day is before us still; and we're well +primed for the business of hunting that pack to +their den. Look at that bunch of rocks a few +miles off; that must be where they hang out, +Bob! Queer that none of the boys have ever +thought of hunting in this quarter for that old +she-wolf Sallie, and her brood."</p> + +<p>"Then you think she did it, do you?" asked +Bob.</p> + +<p>"Sure she did. You can see for yourself where +her jaws closed on the throat of the poor yearling. +Everybody knows her trademark. That sly +beast has been the bane of the cattle ranches +around here for several years. They got to +calling her Sallie in fun; but it's been serious business +lately; and many a cowboy'd ride two +hundred miles for a chance to knock her over."</p> + +<p>"And yet none of the rough riders have even +thought to search that rocky pile for her den, you +say?" Bob continued.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, the killings have always been +in other directions," Frank explained. "Just as +shrewd animals often do, up to now Sallie has +never pulled down a calf anywhere near her den. +I reckon she just knew it might cause a search.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +But this time she's either grown over-bold, or +else the pack started to do the business in spite +of her, and she was forced into the game."</p> + +<p>"Well, shall we head for that elevation, and +see what we can find?" asked Bob, who was inclined +to be a little impatient.</p> + +<p>"Wait a bit. It would be ten times better if +we could only track the greedy pack direct; but +that's a hard proposition, here on the open," +Frank observed.</p> + +<p>"Well, what can we do then?" his chum asked.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps put it in the hands of the best trailer +in Arizona," and with a laugh Frank pointed off +to the left.</p> + +<p>The Kentucky boy turned his head in surprise, +and then exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Old Hank Coombs, on his pony, as sure as +anything! You knew he was coming along all the +while, and just kept mum. But I'm sure glad to +see the old cowman right now. And it may turn +out to be a day of reckoning for that cunning +Sallie, and her half grown cubs."</p> + +<p>The two lads waved their range hats, and sent +out a salute that was readily answered by the +advancing cowman. Hank Coombs was indeed a +veteran in the cattle line, having been one of the +very first to throw a rope, and "mill" stampeding +steers in Texas, and farther to the west.</p> + +<p>He was an angular old fellow, grim looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +in his greasy leather "chaps;" but with a twinkle +in his eyes that told of the spirit of fun that had +never been quenched by the passage of time.</p> + +<p>"Howdy, boys," he called out, as he drew rein +alongside the two lads. "What's this here yer +lookin' at? Another dead calf? No, I swan if +it ain't a yearling as has been pulled down now. +Things seem t' be gittin' t' a warm pass when +sech doin' air allowed. Huh! an' it looks like +Sallie's work, too! That sly ole critter is goin' +t' git t' the end of her rope some fine day."</p> + +<p>"Why not to-day, Hank?" demanded Frank, +briskly.</p> + +<p>The veteran grinned, as though he had half +anticipated having such a question asked.</p> + +<p>"So, that's the way the wind blows, hey?" he +remarked, slowly; and then he nodded his small +head approvingly. "Jest as you say, Frank, +thar's no time like the present t' do things. The +hull pack hes been here, I see, an' no matter how +cunning old Sallie allers shows herself, a chain's +only as strong as th' weakest link. One of her +cubs will sure leave tracks we kin foller. All +right, boys count on me t' back ye up. I'll go +wharever ye say, Frank."</p> + +<p>"We'll follow the trail, if there is one," said +Frank, instantly; "but the chances are that's +where we'll bring up," and he pointed with his +quirt in the direction of the rocky uplift that stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +like a landmark in the midst of the great level sea +of purple sage brush, marking the plain.</p> + +<p>After one good look the cowman nodded his +head again in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>"Reckon as how y'r' right, Frank," he remarked; +"but we'll see how the trail heads."</p> + +<p>Throwing himself from his saddle he bent +down over the remains of the yearling that had +been so unfortunate as to become lame, and thus, +lagging far behind the rest of the herd, fallen a +victim to the wolf pack.</p> + +<p>"Easy as fallin' off a log," announced old +Hank, immediately. "Jest as I was sayin', thar's +nearly allers one clumsy cub as don't hev half +sense; an' I kin foller this trail on horseback, +'pears to me."</p> + +<p>He ran it out a little way; then, once more +mounting, went on ahead, with his keen eyes +fastened on the ground.</p> + +<p>Bob watched his actions with the greatest of +interest. He knew Old Hank was discovering a +dozen signs that would be utterly invisible to one +who had not had many years of practice in tracking +both wild animals and human beings.</p> + +<p>Now and then the trailer would draw in his +horse, as though desirous of looking more carefully +at the ground. Twice he even dropped off +and bent low, to make positive his belief.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you were right, Frank," remarked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +Bob, after half an hour of this sort of travel "because, +you see, even if the trail did lead away +from the rocks at first, it's heading that way now +on a straight line."</p> + +<p>"Thet was only the cuteness of the ole wolf," +said Hank. "She's up t' all the dodges goin'. +But that comes a day of reckonin' for all her +kind; an' her's orter be showin' up right soon."</p> + +<p>When another half hour passed the three riders +had reached the border of the strange pile of +rocks. And as Frank looked up at the rough +heap, with its many crevices and angles, he considered +that it certainly must offer an ideal den +to any wild beast wishing to hide through the +daytime, and prowl forth when darkness and night +lay upon the land.</p> + +<p>"Here's whar the trail ends at the rocks," +said Hank, as he dismounted and threw the bridle +over the head of his horse, cowboy fashion, knowing +that under ordinary conditions the animal +would remain there, just as if hobbled, or staked +out.</p> + +<p>Both of the saddle boys followed his example, +and, holding their rifles ready, prepared to search +the rocks for some trace of the wolf den. Wild +animals may be very cunning about locating their +retreat in a place where it will be hidden from the +eye of a casual passer; but, in course of time, they +cannot prevent signs from accumulating, calculated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +to betray its presence to one who is keenly on +the watch.</p> + +<p>The three searchers had not been moving back +and forth among the piles of rocks more than +ten minutes when Old Hank was observed to +raise his head, smile, and sniff the air with more +or less eagerness.</p> + +<p>"Must be close by, boys," he said, positively. +"I kin git the rank odor that allers hangs 'round +the den of wild animals as brings meat home, an' +leaves the bones. The air is a-comin' from that +quarter, an' chances are we'll find the hole sumwhar +over yonder."</p> + +<p>"I think I see it," said Frank, eagerly. "Just +above that little spur there's a black looking crevice +in the rock."</p> + +<p>"As dark as my hat," added Hank; "an' I +reckon as how that's whar Sallie lives when she's +t' home. Now t' invite ourselves int' her leetle +parlor, boys!"<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> + +<h3>RIDDING THE RANGE OF A PEST</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"Well, what do you think now, Frank?" +asked Bob, as they stood in front of that gloomy +looking crevice, and observed the marks of many +claws upon the discolored rock, where hairy +bodies had drawn themselves along countless +times.</p> + +<p>"I'm wondering," the other replied; "what ails +our boys at the ranch never to have suspected +that old Sallie had her den, and raised her broods, +so close to the Circle Ranch. Why, right now +we're not more'n ten miles, as the crow flies, +away from home. And for years this terrible +she-wolf has lived on the calves and partly grown +animals belonging to cattlemen in this neck of +the land. It makes me tired to think of it!"</p> + +<p>"But Frank, it's a long lane that has no turning," +remarked Bob; "and just now we've got +to the bend. Sallie has invited her fate once too +often. That lame yearling is going to spell her +finish, if Old Hank here has his way."</p> + +<p>"It sure is," agreed Frank. "And when we +get back home with the hide of that old pest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +fastened to a saddle, the boys will be some sore +to think how anyone of the lot might have done +the job, if they'd only turned this way."</p> + +<p>"But what's Hank going to do?" asked the +Kentucky boy, watching the veteran cow-puncher +searching on the ground under a stunted pinon +tree that chanced to grow where there was a small +bit of soil among the rocks.</p> + +<p>"I don't know for a dead certainty," replied +the other; "but I rather think he's picking up +some pieces of wood that might make good +torches."</p> + +<p>"Whew! then he means that we're to go into +the cave, and get our game—is that it, Frank?" +demanded the other, unconsciously tightening his +grip on his rifle, as he glanced once more toward +that yawning crevice, leading to unknown depths, +where the wolf pack lurked during the daytime to +issue forth when night came around.</p> + +<p>"That would be just like the old chap, for he +knows nothing of fear," Frank replied; "but of +course there's no necessity for <i>both</i> of us to go +with him. One might remain here, so as to +knock over any stray beast that managed to escape +the attention of those who went in."</p> + +<p>"All right; where will you take up your stand, +Frank?" asked Bob, instantly; at which his chum +laughed, as though tickled.</p> + +<p>"So you think I'd consent to stay out here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +tamely, while you two were having a regular +circus in there?" he remarked. "That would +never suit me. And it's easy to see that you count +on a ticket of admission to Sallie's parlor, too. +Well, then, we'll all go, and share in the danger, +as well as the sport. For to rid the range country +of this pest I consider the greatest favor under +the sun. But there comes Hank with a bundle +of torches under his arm."</p> + +<p>"We're off, then!" chuckled Bob.</p> + +<p>"Make sure o' yer guns, lads," said the cowman, +as he came up; "because, in a case like this, +when ye want t' shoot it's apt t' be in a hurry. +An' anybody as knows what a fierce critter ole +Sallie is, kin tell ye it'll take an ounce of lead, put +in the right place, t' down her fur keeps."</p> + +<p>"I'm ready," Frank assured the old hunter.</p> + +<p>"Then, jest as soon's I kin git this flare goin' +we'll push in." Hank announced.</p> + +<p>"Will we be able to see the game with such +a poor light?" asked Bob, a trifle nervously, as +his mind went back to school days, to remember +what he had read of that old Revolutionary +patriot, Israel Putnam, entering a wolf's den +alone, and killing the beast in open fight; truth +to tell Bob had never seen a real den in which +wild beasts hid from the sun; and imagination +doubled its perils in his mind.</p> + +<p>"Fust thing ye see'll be some yaller eyes starin'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +at ye outen the dark," said Hank, obligingly. +"Then, when I gives the word, both of ye let go, +aimin' direct atween the yaller spots."</p> + +<p>"But what if we miss, and the beast attacks +us?" Bob went on, wishing to be thoroughly +posted before venturing into that hole.</p> + +<p>"In case of a mix-up," the veteran went on; +"every feller is for hisself; only, recerlect thar +mustn't be any shootin' at close quarters. Use +yer knives, or else swat her over the head with +yer clubbed guns. We're bound t' git Sallie this +time, by hook er by crook! Ready, son?"</p> + +<p>Both boys declared that they had no reason for +delaying matters. Since it had been decided as +best to invade the wolf den, the sooner they +started, the better.</p> + +<p>True, Bob thought that had it been left to him, +he would have first tried to smoke out the occupants +of the cleft, waiting near by to shoot +them down as they rushed out of the depths. But +then Hank was directing matters now, and whatever +he said must be done.</p> + +<p>Besides, Hank had known wolves ever since he +first "toted" a gun, now more than fifty-five +years ago. Perhaps he understood how difficult +it is to smoke out a pack of wolves, that invariably +seek a cave with a depth sufficient to get away +from all the influences of the smudge.</p> + +<p>Without the slightest hesitation Old Hank got<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +down on hands and knees, and began to crawl into +the gaping mouth of the crevice.</p> + +<p>It did not go straight in, but seemed to twist +around more or less. All the while the two boys +kept close at the heels of the guide who carried +that flaring torch. They watched ahead to detect +the first sign of the enemy; and had their ears on +the alert with the same idea in view.</p> + +<p>Stronger grew the odor that invariably marks +the den of carnivorous animals.</p> + +<p>"We ought to stir her up soon now, Frank," +whispered Bob, on whom the strain was bearing +hard, since he was not used to anything of this +sort.</p> + +<p>"Yes, unless the sly old beast has a back door +to her home; how about that, Hank?" asked the +cattleman's son.</p> + +<p>"Don't reckon as how it's so," came the ready +response. "In thet event, we'd feel a breath of +fresh air; an' ye knows as how we don't. Stiddy +boys, keep yer wits about ye! She's clost by, +now!"</p> + +<p>"I heard a growl!" admitted Bob.</p> + +<p>"And there were whines too, from the half +grown cubs," ventured Frank.</p> + +<p>"Once we turn this bend just ahead, likely +enough we'll be in the mess," Bob remarked.</p> + +<p>"Range on both sides of me, boys," directed +Hank, halting, so that they could overtake him;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +because he knew full well that the crisis of this +bold invasion of the she-wolf's den was near at +hand.</p> + +<p>In this fashion, then, the three turned the rocky +corner.</p> + +<p>"I see the yellow eyes!" whispered Bob, beginning +to bring his gun-stock nearer to his +shoulder. "Say, there's a whole raft of 'em, +Frank!"</p> + +<p>"Sure," came the quick reply, close to his ear. +"Hank said there was about five of the brood. +Hold your fire, Bob. Pick out the mother wolf +first."</p> + +<p>"That's what I want to do; but how can I make +sure?" demanded the Kentucky lad, trying his +best to keep his hands from trembling with excitement.</p> + +<p>He had sunk down upon one knee. This allowed +him to rest his elbow on the knee that was +in position, always a favorite attitude with Bob +when using a rifle.</p> + +<p>"Take the eyes that are above all the rest, and +which seem so much larger and fiercer. Are you +on, Bob?" continued the other, who was also +handling his gun with all the eagerness of a sportsman.</p> + +<p>"Yes," came the firm reply.</p> + +<p>"Then let her go!"</p> + +<p>The last word was drowned in a terrific roar,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +for when a gun is fired in confined space the din +is tremendous. Even as he pulled the trigger Bob +knew that luck was against him; for the animal +had moved at a time when he could not delay the +pressure of his finger.</p> + +<p>He heard a second report close beside him. +Frank had also fired, realizing what had occurred, +and that in all probability the first bullet would +only wound the savage beast, without putting an +end to her activities.</p> + +<p>The torch went sputtering to the floor of the +cave, having been knocked from the hand of Hank +when the wolf struck him heavily. He could be +heard trying to rescue it before it went completely +out, all the while letting off a volley of whoops +and directions.</p> + +<p>Fortunately Frank had kept his wits about him. +And his rifle was still gripped firmly in his hands, +he having instantly pumped a new cartridge into +the chamber after firing. The half grown cubs +showed an inclination to follow their mother in +her headlong attack on the human invaders of the +den; for the numerous gleaming pairs of eyes +were undoubtedly advancing when Frank turned +his gun loose on them.</p> + +<p>The din was simply terrific. Bob was more +concerned with the possibility of an attack from +the ferocious mother wolf then anything else. He +had lost track of her after that first furious rush,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +and crouching there, was trying the best he knew +how to locate the creature again.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Old Hank had succeeded in picking +up the torch, which, being held in an upright +position, began to shed a fair amount of light once +more.</p> + +<p>Not seeing anything else at which he could fire, +Bob now started in to assist his chum get rid of +the ugly whelps that were advancing, growling, +snarling, and in various other ways proving how +they had inherited the fearless nature of the beast +that had nursed them in that den.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it was all one-sided, since the animals +never had a chance to get in touch with the invaders. +Neither of the boys ever felt very proud +of the work; but in view of the tremendous amount +of damage a pack of hungry wolves can do on a +cattle ranch, or in a sheepfold, they had no +scruples concerning the matter. Besides, every +one along the Arizona border hated a wolf almost +as badly as they did a cowardly coyote; for +while the former may be bolder than the beast +that slinks across the desert looking for carrion, +its capacity for mischief is a good many times as +great.</p> + +<p>"I don't see any more eyes, Frank!" called +out Bob, presently, as he tried to penetrate the +cloud of powder-smoke that surrounded both of +them.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> + +<p>"That's because we got 'em all, I reckon," replied +his chum. "How about that, Hank?"</p> + +<p>"Cleaned the hull brood out, son," replied the +other, chuckling; "an' no mistake about it either."</p> + +<p>"But where did the big one go to; has she +escaped after all?" asked Bob, with a note of +regret in his voice; for he thought the blame would +be placed on him, for having made a poor shot +when he had such a splendid chance to finish the +animal.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I wouldn't worry myself about her, +Bob," chuckled Frank, who had already made a +discovery; and as he spoke he pointed to a spot +close by, where, huddled in a heap, lay the heavy +body of the fiercest cattle thief known for years +along the border.</p> + +<p>"She was mortally hurted by the fust shot," +said Hank, as they stood over the gaunt animal, +and surveyed her proportions with almost a touch +of awe; "but seemed like the critter had enough +strength left t' make thet leap, as nigh knocked +me flat. Then she jest keeled over, an' guv up the +ghost. Arter this the young heifers kin stray +away from their mother's sides, without bein' +dragged off. Thar'll be a vote o' thanks sent ter +ye, Bob, from every ranch inside of fifty mile, +'cause of what ye did when ye pulled trigger this +day."</p> + +<p>Hank, being an experienced worker, did not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +take very long to secure the pelt of the dead +terror of the desert. Then they left the rocks, +finding their horses just where they had left them.</p> + +<p>All of the animals showed signs of alarm when +they scented the skin of the wolf; and Domino in +particular pranced and snorted at a great rate +since his education had been neglected in this +particular. So Hank, having the best trained steed +in the bunch, insisted on carrying the pelt with +him on their return trip to the ranch.</p> + +<p>Ten miles, as the crow flies, and they would be +at home; and with comparatively fresh steeds, +that should not count for more than an hour's +gallop.</p> + +<p>Before they had gone three miles, however, Bob +called the attention of his chum to a horseman +who was galloping toward them. It was a cowboy, +and he waved his broad-brimmed hat over +his head as he came sweeping forward.</p> + +<p>"Is he doing stunts; or does he want us?" +asked Bob.</p> + +<p>"It's Ted Conway," replied Frank, with a sudden +look of anxiety; "one of the steadiest boys at +the ranch; and he acts as if something had happened +at home!"<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> + +<h3>THE FLOATING BOTTLE</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>Waving his hat after the extravagant manner +of his kind, the cowboy swept constantly nearer +the little party. Indeed, it was impossible for them +to guess whether Ted Conway bore a message, or +was simply delighted to see the son of his employer, +and his chum.</p> + +<p>Presently he reached the constantly advancing +trio, and under the pull of the reins his pony +reared upon its hind legs.</p> + +<p>"What's wrong, Ted?" asked Frank, immediately.</p> + +<p>"Wanted at the ranch, Frank," came the answer. +"The boss has sent me out to look you up +on the jump. Told me as how you started out on +a gallop this way, an' I took chances. Reckon I +was some lucky to strike you so easy."</p> + +<p>"But what has happened, Ted?" insisted the +boy, trying to read the bronzed face of the other, +and get a hint as to whether his mission verged +on the serious or not.</p> + +<p>It was so very unusual for Colonel Haywood to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +send anyone out to find him, that Frank's suspicions +were naturally aroused.</p> + +<p>"Well, the Colonel had a little tumble with +that game leg of his—same one that the steer fell +on, and broke two years back, in the big round-up—" +began the cowboy, when Frank interrupted +him.</p> + +<p>"Then he must have been seriously hurt this +time, or he wouldn't send you out for me. Tell me +the worst, Ted; you ought to realize that it's +better for me to know it all in the start, than by +degrees. Is my father dead?"</p> + +<p>"No. Last I seen of the Colonel, he was a +real live man; only he had his leg done up agin +in splints; an' the ole doc. from the Arrowhead +Ranch was thar, 'tending to him. No, it ain't on +count of his leetle trouble with that leg that +made him send me out huntin' for you, Frank."</p> + +<p>"What then?" demanded the boy, curtly; but +with a sigh of relief, for his father was very dear +to him.</p> + +<p>"Thar come a messenger to the ranch a while +ago, an' somethin' he fetched along with him, +'peared to excite the boss right from the word +go," Ted admitted.</p> + +<p>"A messenger, Ted?" the boy echoed, wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"Never seen him afore, an' think he kim from +town," the new arrival went on to say. "Leastwise,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +he looked like a stray maverick, an' had a +b'iled shirt, with a collar that I reckoned sure +would choke him. Atween you an' me I tried to +get him to chuck the same; but he only grinned, an' +allowed he could stand it."</p> + +<p>"Oh! a messenger from town, was it?" said +Frank, with a relieved look. "Then the chances +are it must have been some business connected +with a shipment of cattle. Perhaps the railroad +has had a bad wreck, and wants to settle for that +last bunch we sent away."</p> + +<p>But Ted shook his head in the negative.</p> + +<p>"'T'wan't no railroad man; that I know," he +affirmed, positively. "'Sides, the boss was holdin' +of a bottle in his hand, an' seemed to set a heap +of store by it."</p> + +<p>"A bottle, Ted?" cried Frank, deeply interested.</p> + +<p>"That's what," replied the cowboy, energetically. +"But jest why he should reckon such a thing +wuth shucks I can't tell ye. But he sent me out +to bring you back to the ranch house like two-forty. +I seen that he was plumb locoed, and some +excited by the news, whatever it might be."</p> + +<p>Frank looked at his chum in a puzzled way, and +shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I don't seem able to make head or tail of this +business, Bob," he remarked; "but there's only +one thing to be done, and that's to romp home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +on the gallop. So away we go with a rush. Who's +after me! Hi! get long, Buckskin! It's a race +for a treat of oats as a prize! Here you are, +Bob; hit up the pace!"</p> + +<p>With the words Frank gave his horse free rein, +and went tearing over the level plain, headed as +straight for the distant ranch as though he were +a bird far up in the clear air, and could see to +make a direct line "as the crow flies!"</p> + +<p>And after a time, in the distance, they saw the +whitewashed outbuildings of Circle Ranch. Frank +never viewed the familiar and dearly loved scene +with more anxiety than he did now; but so far +as he could see there did not appear to be anything +out of the ordinary taking place around the ranch +house.</p> + +<p>"Looks all right, Bob!" exclaimed Frank, as +though a great load had been taken from his +heart.</p> + +<p>The sudden coming of Ted Conway, with that +queer message that meant a hurried return, had +mystified the boy not a little. But he knew that +all would soon be made plain now, since they were +nearly home.</p> + +<p>Dashing up in front of the house, the two lads +jumped to the ground almost before their mounts +had come to a halt. The door was open, and +Frank led the way in a headlong rush.</p> + +<p>As they entered he saw his father seated in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +comfortable easy-chair, with that unfortunate leg, +that had given him more or less trouble for two +years now, propped on another seat, and bound +up.</p> + +<p>There was a stranger with him, but no sign of +the Arrowhead Ranch cowboy doctor; which +would indicate that, having done his duty, the roving +physician and bone-setter had returned to his +regular business, which was roping and branding +cattle.</p> + +<p>Colonel Haywood was a man in the prime of +life. Up to the time that clumsy steer had broken +his leg he had been most active; but since then he +had not been able to get around on his feet so +well, though able to ride fairly comfortably.</p> + +<p>"Hello! Frank, my boy!" he exclaimed, as the +two came rushing in. "So Ted managed to round +you up in great style; did he? Well, I always +said Ted was the sharpest fellow on the range +when it came to finding things. Where have you +been to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Doing a little missionary work for the country," +replied Frank, smiling. "We came across +that lame pet yearling, the dun-colored one you +thought so much of; and there was mighty little +left of the poor beast but a torn hide, not worth +lifting."</p> + +<p>"Huh! wolves again!" exclaimed the stock-raiser, +with a frown.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> + +<p>"Sure thing, sir," Frank went on. "We saw +a heap of signs that told us our old friend, Sallie, +with the broken tooth, had been on the job again. +But that was the last of our beef the old lady'll +ever taste, or anybody else's, for that matter."</p> + +<p>"What's that? Did you sight her, and get a +shot?" demanded the pleased rancher, forgetting +his broken leg in his excitement, and making a +movement that immediately caused him to give a +grunt, and settle back again.</p> + +<p>"Old Hank happened to run across our trail +just then," Frank continued; "and we made up +our minds to track the beast to her lair. Where +do you suppose we found it, dad, but in the big +bunch of rocks that lies about ten miles to the +west?"</p> + +<p>"You surprise me; but go on, tell me the rest, +and then I'm going to let you in on something that +will open your eyes a little," remarked the stockman.</p> + +<p>"Oh! there isn't much more to tell, dad," the +boy hastened to say, for he was eager to learn +what all this mystery meant. "We found the +opening, easy enough, and made up our minds to +crawl in after Sallie, the whole three of us. So +Hank picked up some wood for a flare, and in we +went."</p> + +<p>"And you found her home? You met with a +warm reception, I warrant!" the other exclaimed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +his eyes kindling with pride as he saw the quiet, +confident air with which Frank rattled off his +story.</p> + +<p>"Sallie was in, ditto five of her half-grown +brood, and all full of fight," the boy continued. +"But of course they didn't have a ghost of a show +against our two repeating rifles. Hank held the +torch, and Bob fired first. Then the brute +jumped, and nearly got Hank, who lost the flare +for a few seconds. We keeled over the ugly +whelps as they started for us; and later on found +old Sallie, just as she had dropped. That big +jump was her last."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad to hear that, son," declared +the rancher, who had suffered long and seriously +from the depredations of that sly animal and her +various broods, despite all efforts to locate her, +and put an end to her attacks.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you're pleased with what we did," +Frank remarked.</p> + +<p>"It will mean a lot to all honest ranchmen in +this section," continued the cattleman. "With +Sallie gone, we can hope to raise a record herd the +coming season, without keeping men constantly on +the watch, day and night, for a slinking thief that +defied our best efforts. Shake hands, Bob, and +let me congratulate you on making the shot that +ended the loping of the worst pest this country has +known in five years."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> + +<p>"But when Ted came whirling along, shouting, +and waving his hat, to tell us you wanted me back +home on the jump, it gave me a bad feeling, dad; +especially when I heard that you'd gone and hurt +that leg again!" Frank cried, as he, too, seized +the other hand of his father, and squeezed it affectionately.</p> + +<p>"But I told Ted to be sure and let you know +that it was not on account of my new upset that I +wanted you back," declared the ranchman, frowning.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he delivered the message all right, dad; +but all the same I was bothered a heap, let me tell +you," Frank went on. "And now, please, tell us +what it's all about; won't you; and what this +gentleman has to do with it; also the bottle Ted +said you were handling?"</p> + +<p>At that Colonel Haywood smiled, and looked +up at the stranger.</p> + +<p>"This is a Mr. Hinchman, Frank," he remarked. +"He lives in a small place on the great +Colorado River called Mohave City. And one +day, not long ago, a man who was fishing on the +river at a place where an eddy set in, found a +curious bottle floating, that was sealed with red +wax on the top, and seemed to contain only a piece +of paper. This is the bottle," and as he spoke he +opened a drawer of the desk, and drew out the +flask in question.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> + +<p>Frank took it, and turned it around. So far as +he could see it was an ordinary bottle. It contained +no cork, but there were signs of sealing +wax around the top.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Hinchman, is, I believe," the ranchman +went on, "though he has been too modest to say +so himself, a gentleman of some importance in +Mohave City, which accounted for the fisherman +fetching his queer find to him. The bottle had +evidently come down the great river, perhaps for +one or two hundred miles, escaping destruction +from contact with rocks in a marvelous manner, +and finally falling into the hands of one who had +both the time and the curiosity to examine its +sealed contents."</p> + +<p>Colonel Haywood thereupon took up a small +piece of paper from the pad of the desk.</p> + +<p>"This is what he found in the bottle, Frank," +continued the stockman. "It bore my address, and +the name of my ranch here; so thinking that it +might be something more than a practical joke he +concluded to journey all the way across the country +to see me. It was a mighty nice thing for Mr. +Hinchman to do, and something I am not apt to +forget in a hurry, either."</p> + +<p>"Then the paper interested you, dad, it seems?" +Frank remarked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"It certainly did, son, and I rather think you +will feel the same as I did when I tell you whose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +name is written at the bottom of this little communication," +the cattleman went on.</p> + +<p>"All right, I'm ready to hear it," Frank remarked, +laughingly.</p> + +<p>"Felix Oswald!" replied his father, quickly.</p> + +<p>The boy was indeed intensely surprised, if one +could judge from his manner.</p> + +<p>"Your Uncle Felix, dad, who has been gone +these three years, and whose mysterious disappearance +set the whole scientific world guessing. +And you say his name is there, signed to that +paper found in the sealed bottle? Well, you sure +have given me a surprise. Then he's still alive?"</p> + +<p>"He seemed to be when he wrote this," the +cattleman said, reflectively; "but as he failed to +put any date on it, we can only guess how long the +bottle has been cruising down the Colorado, +sucked into eddies that might hold it for weeks +or months, until a rise in the river sent it forth +again."</p> + +<p>"Say, doesn't that beat everything you ever +heard of, Bob?" declared Frank, turning to his +chum.</p> + +<p>"It certainly does," replied Bob, and then the +ranchman's boy continued:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you remember me telling you some +things about this queer old uncle of dad's, Bob, +and how, after he had made a name for himself, +he suddenly vanished in a night, leaving word behind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +that he was going to study the biggest subject +any man could ever tackle. And as he didn't want +to be bothered, he said he would leave no address +behind. They've looked for him all over Europe, +Asia and Africa, but he was never heard from +again. And now to think that he's sent word to +dad; and in a sealed bottle too!"</p> + +<p>"That looks as if he must be somewhere on +the Colorado River, don't it?" suggested Bob.</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly," replied the stockman; "in fact, +in this brief communication he admits that he is +located somewhere along the Grand Canyon, in a +place where travelers have as yet never penetrated. +I can only guess that Uncle Felix must +have been seized with a desire to unearth treasures +that might tell the history of those strange +old cliff dwellers, who occupied much of that country +as long as eight hundred years ago. All he +mentions about his hiding place is to call it Echo +Cave. You never heard of such a place, did you, +Mr. Hinchman; and you've lived on the lower +river many years?"</p> + +<p>"I never did, Colonel," replied the man from +Mohave City; "and perhaps few people have +climbed through that wonderful gash in the surface +of the Arizona desert as many times as I have."</p> + +<p>"In this brief note," continued Colonel Haywood, +"Uncle Felix simply says that he has become +aware of the passage of time; and since<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +his labors are not yet completed, and he does not +wish to allow his friends to believe him dead, he +has concluded to communicate with me, his nephew. +And as he knew of no other way of doing so, he +resorted to the artifice of the floating bottle."</p> + +<p>"Mighty considerate of him, that's sure," +chuckled Frank. "Been gone now two or three +years, and suddenly remembers that there are +people who might worry about his dropping out +of sight."</p> + +<p>"But son," remarked the stockman, "don't +forget that Uncle Felix is wrapped up in his profession, +and cares very little about the ties of this +world. I know him well enough for that. But +it happens, singularly enough, that just now it is +of the greatest importance he should be found, +and communicated with. I would undertake the +task myself, only for this unfortunate break that +is bound to keep me laid up for another month or +two. The doctor set my leg afresh, and tells me +that this time I will really get perfectly well, given +time. But it's hard to think that my cousin +Janice, his only child, will lose so great a sum +if some one fails to locate Uncle Felix, and get +his signature to a paper inside of another month."</p> + +<p>"Why, how is that, father?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Circumstances have arisen that will throw a +fortune into her hands;" the stockman continued; +"but the time limit approaches, and if his signature<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +is not forthcoming others will reap the benefit, +particularly that rascally cousin of mine, +Eugene Warringford. You remember meeting +him a year ago, Frank, when he came around asking +many questions, as though he might have +tracked his uncle out this way, and then lost the +trail?"</p> + +<p>"Why not send us, dad?" demanded Frank, +standing up in front of the stockman, with a +smile of confidence on his face.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> + +<h3>THE LISTENER UNDER THE WINDOW</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"That was what I had in mind, Frank, when +I hurried Ted Conway out to find you both," +Colonel Haywood remarked, his face filled with +pride and confidence.</p> + +<p>"Will you let me see the note, please?" +asked Bob; who expected some day to study to be +a lawyer, his father's family having had several +Kentucky judges among their number.</p> + +<p>Just as the owner of the ranch had said, the +communication was exceedingly brief, and to the +point, not an unnecessary word having been written. +It was in pencil, and the handwriting was +crabbed; just what one might expect of an elderly +man, given over heart and soul to scientific research.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you know the writing well enough +to feel sure this came from your noted uncle, +sir?" asked Bob, as he turned the paper over.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Bob," replied the cattleman, +promptly. "There is not the least possibility of +it's being a practical joke. Nobody out here +knows anything about my uncle, who disappeared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +so long ago. Yes, you can set it down as +positive that the letter is genuine enough. He's +located somewhere up in that most astonishing +hole, the greatest wonder, most people admit, in +the entire world. But just how you two boys are +ever going to find him is another question."</p> + +<p>"We can try, dad; and that's all you could do +if you were able to tramp. It happens that the +Grand Canyon isn't more than a hundred and +thirty miles from our ranch here, and we can +ride that in a few days. How do you feel about +it, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing would please me better," replied the +other boy, quickly, his face lighting up with delight +at the prospect of a long ride in the saddle, +to be followed by days, and perhaps weeks, of +roaming through that wonderland, where Nature +had outdone all her other works in trying to heap +up astonishing surprises.</p> + +<p>"So far as I'm concerned," Frank went on, +"I've always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon, +and meant to do it some day later on. Of course +I've seen what the little Colorado has to show, +because it's only a long day's ride off. Mr. +Hinchman can, I reckon, give us some points +about the place, and maybe even mention several +smaller canyons where we might be likely to find +Uncle Felix in Echo Cave."</p> + +<p>"Which I'll be only too happy to attempt,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +answered the gentleman from Mohave City; +"and as I said before, I know considerable about +the mysteries of the big hole in the desert, all of +which is at your service. Somehow, the queer +way that message in the floating bottle came to +me, excited my curiosity; and I'll be satisfied if +I can only have a hand in the finding of the noted +gentleman who, as your father has been telling +me, vanished in the midst of his fame."</p> + +<p>"And now, dad, please explain just what we +are to do in case luck follows us in our hunt, and +we run across the professor," said Frank.</p> + +<p>"You are to explain to him that the long option +which he held on that San Bernardino mine will +expire in one more month. The work had been +going on in a listless way for three years. All at +once some time back they struck a wonderfully +rich lode, and vein has been followed far enough +to show that it is bound to be a record breaker."</p> + +<p>"That sounds great!" declared the deeply interested +Bob.</p> + +<p>"The mine couldn't be bought for a million +to-day," continued the stockman; "and yet Uncle +Felix is probably carrying around with him (for +it couldn't be found at his home) a little legal +document whereby it will become his sole property +in case he chooses to plank down the modest sum +of twenty thousand dollars by the thirtieth of next +month!"</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> + +<p>"Whew! that's going some, eh, Bob?" exclaimed +Frank, with a little whistle that accentuated +his surprise.</p> + +<p>"Then if we are fortunate enough to find Uncle +Felix before that time has expired, what shall we +do, sir?" asked the precise Bob, who was always +keeping an eye out for the legal aspect of things.</p> + +<p>"Coax him to accompany you to the nearest +notary public, where he can sign his acceptance of +the terms under which he holds the option on the +San Bernardino. But if this happens after the +thirtieth it is all wasted energy; for at midnight +of that day, I happen to know, the option expires," +the ranchman continued, somewhat impressively.</p> + +<p>Just as he finished speaking he suddenly turned +toward the window, at which his keen vision had +caught sight of a moving shadow, as though someone +might have been crouching without, and listening.</p> + +<p>"Who is there at the window?" he called out, +sternly.</p> + +<p>All eyes were turned that way. After several +seconds had passed a figure rose up, and a head +was thrust through the opening. It belonged to +a dark-faced cow-puncher, named Abajo, who was +supposed to be a half-breed Mexican. Although +never a favorite with the owner of the Circle +Ranch, Abajo was a first-class handler of the rope,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +and could ride a horse as well as anyone. He had +been employed by Colonel Haywood for half a +year. He talked "United States," as Frank was +used to saying, as well as the average cowman. +But Frank had never liked the fellow. There +seemed something crafty in his ways that was +foreign to the make-up of the boy.</p> + +<p>"It's only me, boss," said Abajo, with an attempt +at a grin. "I wanted to ask you about that +job you set me on yesterday. I took Pete along, +and we found the lost bunch of stock in a valley +ten mile away from Thunder Mountain in the +Fox Canyon country. Got 'em all safe in but +seven. Never seen hair nor hide of them; but +after gettin' back it struck me there was one place +they might a strayed to that we didn't look up. +If so be you say the word I'll pick up Pete again, +and make another try."</p> + +<p>"Why, of course you had better go, Abajo," +remarked the stockman, looking keenly at the +other, for he did not like the way in which the +half-breed had been apparently loitering under +that open window, as though listening to all that +was passing in the room beyond. "I told you +not to draw rein till you'd found all the missing +stock; or knew what had become of them. +That's all, Abajo."</p> + +<p>The Mexican cowboy hurried away. A minute +later and they heard him shouting to Pete; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +then the clatter of horses' hoofs told that the pair +were galloping wildly across the open.</p> + +<p>"I wonder how much he heard?" said Frank; +from which it would appear that he also suspected +the other of having spied upon them for some purpose.</p> + +<p>"Much good it could have done him, even if +he caught all we said," replied his father. "Because, +of course, he doesn't know anything about +Uncle Felix; and couldn't be interested in whether +he is living or dead."</p> + +<p>"No," remarked Mr. Hinchman, "but the +mention of a mine going a-begging that is worth +a comfortable fortune, like a million or two, +would interest Abajo. I know his type pretty +well, and you can rest assured that they're always +on the lookout for easy money."</p> + +<p>"But didn't it strike you, dad," ventured Frank, +"that his excuse for being under that window was +silly?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, because Abajo has always been able to +understand, without asking what he should do under +such conditions. He wanted some excuse +for drawing near the open window, and he found +it. Perhaps he's heard something about the coming +of Mr. Hinchman here, and the queer finding +of the bottle that floated down the Colorado for +one or two hundred miles. I spoke to the foreman, +Bart Heminway, about it."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> + +<p>"When would you want us to make a start?" +asked Bob, looking as though he might be ready +to jump into his saddle then and there.</p> + +<p>"Oh! there is no such rushing hurry as all +that," replied the cattleman, laughing at the eagerness +of the two lads. "Your horses are a bit +off, just now, and after all that fight in the wolf +den you boys need a rest."</p> + +<p>"But when do we start?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you get ready to move in the morning," +Colonel Haywood replied, after reflecting a +moment. "That will give me time to write a +letter to Uncle Felix, so that you can deliver it, +if you're lucky enough to find his Echo Cave; and +at the same time you can make up your packs; for +you will need blankets, and plenty of grub +along."</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon you're right, dad," admitted +Frank; "only it seems as if we might be losing +valuable time. All the same we're going to do +just what you say. Now, if you haven't anything +more to tell us, we'll just skip out, and begin looking +up some of the supplies for our campaign in +the Grand Canyon."</p> + +<p>"Get along with you, then," laughed the ranchman. +"I want to ask Mr. Hinchman a few more +questions that have occurred to me since you came +home. And, boys, grub will be ready in a short +time, now, for there's Ah Sin stepping to the door<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +every little while, to look around and see if the +boys are in sight. You know what that sign +means."</p> + +<p>Frank and his chum went off, to make out a +list of things they would take along with them on +the strange expedition upon which they were about +to start on the following morning.</p> + +<p>"What do you think of that slippery customer, +Abajo?" Bob asked his chum, as the afternoon +waned, and they were sitting on the long porch +of the ranch house.</p> + +<p>"I've never liked him ever since he came here; +but dad was in need of help, and the half-breed +certainly knows his business to a dot," replied +Frank, who was examining the new girth his chum +had attached to his saddle, mentally deciding that +whatever the young Kentuckian attempted, he did +neatly and well.</p> + +<p>"Didn't I hear something about his being a +relative to that Spanish Joe who gave us so much +trouble a little while back, on Thunder Mountain?" +Bob continued.</p> + +<p>"Well, I couldn't say for sure, but some say +he is a nephew," Frank answered. "Both of +them have Mexican blood in their veins; and, +when you come to think of it, there is some resemblance +in their faces."</p> + +<p>"But do you really think Abajo was listening?" +the other asked.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> + +<p>"It looked like it; that's as far as I've got," +laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"But," Bob protested, "even if he knew that +there was a big fortune connected with the paper +this queer old professor carries on his person, +what good would that do Abajo?"</p> + +<p>Frank shrugged his broad shoulders as he replied:</p> + +<p>"Well, you never can tell what crazy notions +some of these schemers after a fortune will hatch +up. He might make up his mind to start a little +hunt for the hermit of Echo Cave on his own +hook; with the idea of getting a transfer of that +valuable paper."</p> + +<p>"That's a fact!" declared Bob, looking interested. +"Perhaps, after all, we won't have our +work cut out for us as easy as we thought."</p> + +<p>"Small difference that will make," Frank went +on, with a shutting of his teeth that told of the +spirit animating the boy when difficulties hove in +sight.</p> + +<p>"I agree with you, all right, Frank," his companion +remarked. "And perhaps it'll only make +the hunt all the more interesting if we believe +we've got opposition. You know how it was when +Peg Grant threw his hat in the ring, and tried +to find out what made those queer sounds in the +heart of Thunder Mountain?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I do," came the quick reply. "It +stirred us up to doing bigger stunts than if we'd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +thought we had it all our own way. Nothing +like competition to get the best out of any fellow."</p> + +<p>"Correct you are, Frank. But speaking of +Abajo, perhaps that's him coming back now," and +as he spoke the Kentucky boy pointed across to +a point where a single rider could be seen heading +for the ranch house.</p> + +<p>He was still far away, but the eyes of Frank +Haywood were very keen. Besides, he knew the +"style" of every cowboy who was in the employ +of his father, and was able to pick them out almost +as far as he could see them.</p> + +<p>"You're away off there, Bob," he remarked +quietly.</p> + +<p>"Then it isn't the half-breed?" asked his +chum.</p> + +<p>"I know the way that chap sits in the saddle," +came the reply. "Only one man on the pay roll +of Circle Ranch holds himself that way. It's +Pete."</p> + +<p>"Pete Rawlings, the fellow who went with +Abajo to round up the missing cattle?" asked +Bob.</p> + +<p>"He's the one," Frank went on. "And from +the fact that he rides alone, I take it he's bringing +news."</p> + +<p>"Of the seven head of cattle that have disappeared, +you mean, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps. They may have found them, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +Abajo is standing by, while Pete comes in to +make some sort of report. There's that rustler +bunch that comes from the other side of the Gila +river once in a while, under Pedro Mendoza, you +remember. But he'll soon be on deck, and then +we'll know. Come along, Bob, and we'll let dad +hear that Pete is sighted. He'll be interested +some, I reckon."</p> + +<p>A short time later the single rider threw himself +from his saddle after the usual impetuous +manner of cowboys in general.</p> + +<p>"Back again, Pete; and did you see anything +of that seven head?" asked Colonel Haywood, +who had come outside.</p> + +<p>"Ain't run across hair nor hide of 'em, Colonel," +replied the squatty cattleman, as he "waddled" +up to the spot where the little group awaited +his coming; for like many of his kind, Pete was decidedly +bow-legged, possibly from riding a horse +all his life; and his walk somewhat resembled that +of a sailor ashore after a long cruise.</p> + +<p>"Where did you leave Abajo?" asked Frank, +unable to restrain his curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Didn't leave him," replied the other, with a +grin. "He gave me the merry ha! ha! and said +as how he reckoned he'd had enough of the old +Circle. Got his month's pay yesterday, you see, +an' he's even. I reckoned somethin' was in the +wind when I seen him talkin' with that feller."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> + +<p>"Who was that, Pete?" questioned Colonel +Haywood; and the prompt answer made Frank +and Bob exchange significant looks, for it seemed +to voice their worst fears.</p> + +<p>"A gent as you had avisitin' here some time +back, Colonel. Reckon as how he don't feel any +too warm toward you, accordin' to the way he +used to bring them black brows of his'n down, +when he thought you wa'n't lookin'. And his +name was Eugene Warringford."<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> + +<h3>STARTING FOR THE GRAND CANYON</h3> +<br /> + +<p>No one appeared to be greatly surprised at +this piece of news. Apparently it had been already +discounted in the mind of Frank, his father, +and even Bob Archer.</p> + +<p>"So, that's the way the wind sets, is it?" remarked +the colonel, frowning.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, dad, that proves one thing," declared +Frank.</p> + +<p>"Meaning about that business of listening under +the window?" observed the owner of Circle +Ranch. "It certainly does. Abajo has been in +the employ of Eugene Warringford from the +start. But there must have been some other good +reason why that schemer wanted to find Uncle +Felix. He suspected that, sooner or later, the +old gentleman would communicate with me, because +I used to be quite a favorite of his, years +ago."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he sent the half-breed here to get +employment from you just to spy around," declared +Frank. "All the time he was accepting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +your money, he had a regular income from Eugene."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, he earned all he got here," said the +ranchman, quickly. "Say what I may about +Abajo, he had no superior when it came to throwing +the rope, and rounding up a herd. Those +Mexicans make the finest of cowboys. They are +at home in the saddle, every time."</p> + +<p>"Also in hanging around under windows, and +listening to what is said," added Frank. "As for +me, I have little use for their breed. And, dad, +if ever you give me the reins here, no Mexican +will ever get a job on old Circle Ranch."</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked the stockman, laughing at +the vigor with which his son and heir made this +assertion, "perhaps I'm leaning that way myself. +After all, there's nothing like your own kind. We +don't understand these fellows. Their ways are +not the same as ours; and I reckon we puncture +their pride often enough. But there's no trouble +now about understanding why Abajo gave us the +go-by to-day."</p> + +<p>"Huh! he had some news worth while carrying +to his boss," said Frank. "And I can just imagine +how Eugene's little eyes will sparkle when +he hears about that valuable paper; eh, dad?"</p> + +<p>"You're right, son," the ranchman replied. +"Because, it stands to reason he couldn't know +anything about it before. The mine was a dead<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +one up to a few months back, when that lucky-find +lode was struck by accident. Eugene will put up +a big chase to find this Echo Cave, now that he +knows Uncle Felix is located somewhere in the +Grand Canyon of the Colorado."</p> + +<p>"But it won't make a bit of difference in our +plans, dad; will it?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"That depends on you two boys. If you think +you can carry the game along, even with Eugene +against you, I see no reason to make any change," +the stockman replied, with a look that spoke of +much confidence.</p> + +<p>The balance of the afternoon was spent in exchanging +views, and much study of the map of +the famous canyon of the Colorado, which it happened +the ranch owner had in his desk.</p> + +<p>All sorts of theories were advanced by first +one and then another of the group. It happened +that Colonel Haywood himself had never as yet +paid a visit to the strange gash in the soil of +northwestern Arizona; and he admitted the fact +with a rueful face.</p> + +<p>"Then just as soon as you get well, dad, make +up your mind you're going to take a little vacation, +and see the Grand Canyon," said Frank. +"When we come back, perhaps what we have to +say will set you wild to go. And we expect to +bring news of old Uncle Felix too, if he's still in +the land of the living."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> + +<p>"Let's go over that ground again," remarked +Bob.</p> + +<p>"Now you're referring to what was said about +the funny old stone dwellings of the cliff dwellers, +who used to live there centuries ago," remarked +Frank.</p> + +<p>"And he's right, too," declared the ranchman. +"I get the point Bob makes. It was about these +wonderful people that Uncle Felix was so deeply +interested, and he made up his mind to shut himself +away from all the world, just to study up +their history, as left in the holes in the rock."</p> + +<p>"And it would seem to follow, then," said +Bob, readily, "that he will be found located in +one of those series of terraces where these holes +are discovered. I notice that there are a number +of these villages connected with the map of +the Grand Canyon; but the chances are your Uncle +Felix wouldn't take up with any where tourist +travel was common."</p> + +<p>"Now, that sounds all right," admitted Frank. +"In the first place he would have been heard +from long ago, if tourists ran across him; because +they always talk, and send their accounts to be +published in the papers."</p> + +<p>"Besides, these scientific men hate to be +watched when they're wrapped up in work like +this. I've known a couple back in Old Kentucky," +Bob went on.</p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> + +<p>"According to your idea, then," said the Colonel, +nodding approvingly, "this Echo Cave he +mentions will prove to be some new place that the +ordinary tourist in the big canyon has never set +eyes on?"</p> + +<p>"That's my opinion, sir," replied Bob.</p> + +<p>"And if that's so, then it wouldn't pay you +boys to waste any time looking into these ruins +of the homes of the cliff dwellers located around +Grand View; and in Walnut Canyon, some nine +miles from Flagstaff," the ranchman continued.</p> + +<p>"I think we'd save more or less time that way, +sir," Bob declared.</p> + +<p>"And you still want to go on horseback; when +you might reach the railroad, and take a train, +easily enough?" asked Colonel Haywood.</p> + +<p>The boys exchanged glances. They were +wedded to the saddle, and disliked the idea of +leaving their favorite steeds behind them when +embarking on this new venture.</p> + +<p>"We've picked out the trail we expect to follow, +dad," Frank said, pleadingly; "and it seems +to run pretty smooth, with only a few mountains +to cross, and a couple of rivers to ford. If you +don't object seriously, Bob and I would prefer +to go mounted."</p> + +<p>"Oh! as far as that goes, I don't blame you, +boys," the stockman hastened to say in reply; for +he could understand the yearning one feels for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +a favorite horse; and how a seat in the saddle +seems to be the finest thing in the world.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dad!" exclaimed Frank. "I +reckoned that you'd talk that way. Somehow or +other I just don't feel more'n half myself out of +the saddle. And when we start to go down into +the canyon we can find some place to leave our +mounts where they'll be 'tended decently enough."</p> + +<p>Ah Sin, the Chinese cook of the ranch, who +generally accompanied the boys when the whole +outfit went on the grand round-up, with the mess +wagon in attendance, now came outdoors, and +beat his gong to announce dinner.</p> + +<p>The cowboys were not far away, awaiting the +summons with the customary range appetites held +in check; and when they were seated at the table +they presented a merry crowd. Frank's mother +happened to be visiting East at this time. He +had a maiden aunt, however, who looked after the +household duties, and sat at the end of the long +table to pour the coffee.</p> + +<p>Of course there was more or less talk about the +sudden flitting of the half-breed, Abajo. Nobody +had any regrets, for he had never been liked. +And there were several who secretly felt pleased, +because they had happened to quarrel with the +dark-skinned Mexican at different times, and did +not altogether fancy the way he had of scowling, +while his finger felt the edge of the knife he carried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +in his gay sash, after the manner of his countrymen.</p> + +<p>Colonel Haywood did not see fit to explain the +real cause for the going of Abajo, except to his +foreman, Bart Heminway. But during the evening, +when Frank and Bob were making up their +packs so as to get an early start in the morning, +the ranch owner might have been seen in earnest +consultation with the foreman.</p> + +<p>Presently Bart went out, to return with Old +Hank Coombs, and another cowman known as +Chesty Lane; who had of course received this +name on account of the way he thrust out his +figure, rather than from any inclination on his +part to boast of his wonderful deeds.</p> + +<p>"Chesty tells me, Colonel," said Bart, "that he +used to be a guide in this same Grand Canyon, +years ago. I never knowed it 'till right to-day. +And if so be you intend to send Old Hank up thar +to keep tabs on the doings of that ugly pair, Abajo +and Warringford, thar couldn't be a better man +to pick out than Chesty. You can depend on him +every time."</p> + +<p>Then followed another conference, of which +the two boys, wrapped up in their own plans in another +room, were of course entirely ignorant.</p> + +<p>It was decided, however, that the two cowmen +should wait until the boys were well on their way. +Then, supplied with ample funds, they could ride<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +to the nearest station, meet the first train bound +north, and be at Flagstaff before night came +around.</p> + +<p>In this way the Colonel figured that he was safeguarding +the interests of Bob and Frank. Already +had he begun to regret allowing them to +go, and if it had not been for the high regard he +had for his word, once given, he might have +backed down. However, perhaps the sending of +Hank and his companion might answer the purpose, +and prove a valuable move.</p> + +<p>The night passed, and with early dawn there +was a stir all about Circle Ranch.</p> + +<p>Every cowboy on the place accompanied Frank +and Bob several miles on their long journey, every +fellow wishing he had been asked to join them for +the adventure. And when Bart Hemingway gave +the word to turn back, the entire group waved +their hats, and cheered as long as the two lads +remained within hearing.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> + +<h3>BUCKSKIN ON GUARD</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"A good day's ride, all right, Bob!"</p> + +<p>"You never said truer words, Frank. And +now, with night setting in, how far do you think +we've covered since the start this morning?"</p> + +<p>The Kentucky boy sat in his saddle with a slight +show of weariness, which was not to be wondered +at, considering the steadiness with which they had +kept on the move, hour after hour, heading in a +general Westerly direction.</p> + +<p>The satin skin of Domino was flecked with +foam. Even the tough little Buckskin mount of +Frank showed signs of weariness; though ready +to keep on if his master gave the word.</p> + +<p>"That would be hard to tell," replied the +rancher's son; "but it must be all of sixty-five +miles, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"Then that beats my record some," declared +the other.</p> + +<p>"But it was a glorious gallop all the way +through," asserted Frank.</p> + +<p>"That's what; and more to follow to-morrow," +his chum hastened to remark.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> + +<p>"But a different kind of travel, the chances +are, Bob. To-day it happened that we were +crossing the great mesa, and it was like a floor +for being level. Over yonder, ahead, you can see +the mountains we must cross. Then there are +rivers to ford or swim. Yes, variety is the spice +of life; and unless I miss my guess we're due for +a big change to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"Think we can make Flagstaff by to-morrow +night?" asked the Kentucky lad, who, at a time +like this, seemed to depend very much upon the +superior knowledge of his chum, who had been +brought up on the plains.</p> + +<p>"We're going to make a try; that's as far as +I've got," laughed Frank. "But what about +camping here?"</p> + +<p>"As good as anywhere," answered Bob. +"Fact is, I'm admitting to being ready to drop +down in any old place, so long as I can stretch my +legs, and roll. No wonder a horse likes to turn +over as soon as you take the saddle off. Shall +we call it a go, Frank?"</p> + +<p>The other jumped to the ground. Bob thought +he heard him give a little grunt in doing so; but +just then he was interested in repressing his own +feelings.</p> + +<p>However, when they had moved about somewhat, +both boys confessed to feeling considerably +better. As for the horses, there was no danger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +of their straying after that gallop of many hours +in the hot sun. They took their roll, and then +began hunting for stray tufts of grass among the +buffalo berry bushes.</p> + +<p>The sun had already set, and twilight told of +the coming night. Around them lay the mesa, +with the mountains cropping up like a crust along +the edge. It was a familiar scene, to Frank in +particular, and one of which he never tired.</p> + +<p>"I noticed some jack rabbits as we came +along," remarked Bob, "and as they always come +out of their burrows about dusk to play, suppose +I try and knock over a couple right now."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't object myself to a good dinner of +rabbit, after that ride," Frank admitted, as he +proceeded to get the little tent in position, a task +that was only a pleasure to a boy fond of all outdoors.</p> + +<p>So Bob immediately sauntered off toward the +spot where he had noticed the long-eared animals, +calculated to make a good meal for hungry campers.</p> + +<p>"I heard gophers whistling," called out Frank, +"and that means there's a village somewhere close +by. Keep your eyes out for the rattlers; they are +always found where prairie dogs live."</p> + +<p>"I never forget that, Frank," came back from +the disappearing hunter.</p> + +<p>Frank went on with his preparations. A fire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +would be necessary, if they expected to cook fresh +meat; and it is not always an easy thing to have +such when out on the open plain or mesa. But +Frank had already sighted a supply of fuel sufficient +for their needs and it was indeed next +door to a miracle to find the dead branch of a +pine tree here, far away from the mountains, +where the nearest trees seemed to grow.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it was just lifted up in some little +tornado, and carried through the air, just to land +where we needed it," he remarked, as he dragged +the log closer to where he had quickly put up the +tent; and then began chopping at it with his little +camp hatchet.</p> + +<p>As he worked there came a quick report from +a point not far away.</p> + +<p>"That means one jack," he remarked, raising +his head to listen; but to his surprise no second +shot followed.</p> + +<p>"Well, if he hopes to get a pair, he'll have to +hurry up his cakes," Frank went on; "because the +night's settling down on us fast. But then one +will give us a taste all around, and help out."</p> + +<p>It was some little time before he heard Bob +coming, and then the Kentuckian seemed to be +walking rather unsteadily. Frank jumped to his +feet, with the suspicion that possibly after all Bob +had met with a misfortune. In the minute of +time that he was waiting for his chum to appear,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +a number of things flashed through his head to +give him uneasiness.</p> + +<p>Had Bob been unlucky enough to run across one +of those aggressive little prairie rattlesnakes after +all? Could he have wounded himself in any way +when he fired his repeating rifle? Neither of +these might prove to be the case; and yet Bob was +certainly staggering as he came along.</p> + +<p>Now he could be seen by the light of the little +fire. Frank stared, for his chum was certainly +bending over, as though bearing a load. He had +heard no outcry that would signify the presence +of others in the neighborhood. Ah! surely those +were the long slender legs of an antelope which +Bob gripped in front of him.</p> + +<p>"Bully for you!" exclaimed Frank. "Where +under the sun did you run across that fine game? +Say, you sure take the cake, stepping out just to +knock over a couple of long-ears; and then coming +back ten minutes later with a fine antelope on +your back. How did you do it, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," laughed the other. "Happened +to start up against the wind, and was creeping +up behind some buffalo berry bushes to see +if there were any jack rabbits beyond, when this +little fellow jumped to his feet. Why he didn't +light out when we came along, I never could tell +you."</p> + +<p>"Oh! he just knew we wanted a good supper,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +I reckon," Frank remarked. "And now to get +busy."</p> + +<p>It did not take them long to cut some choice +bits from the antelope, which they began to cook +at the fire, thrusting the meat through with long +splinters of wood, which in turn were held in a +slanting position in the ground. When one part +gave evidence of being browned the novel spit +was turned until all sides had been equally served.</p> + +<p>"Remember the way Old Hank showed us +how to toll antelope for a shot, when you can't +find cover to get near enough?" asked Frank, as +they sat there, disposing of their supper, with the +satisfaction hunger always brings in its train.</p> + +<p>"You mean with the red handkerchief waved +over the top of a bush?" Bob went on. "Hank +said there never was a more curious little beast +than an antelope. If he didn't have a red rag a +white one would do. Once he said he just lay +down on his back and kicked his heels in the air. +The game ran away, but came back; and each time +just a little bit closer, till Hank could fire, and get +his supper. I've done something the same for +ducks, in a marsh back home, trying to draw their +attention to the decoys I had out."</p> + +<p>A small stream ran near by, at which the boys +and horses had quenched their thirst. Sometimes +its gentle murmur floated to their ears as they sat +there, chatting, and wondering whether their mission<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +to the Grand Canyon was destined to bear +fruit or not.</p> + +<p>"I can get the smell of some late wild roses," +remarked Frank. "And it isn't often that you +find such things up on one of these high mesas, or +table lands. Do you know, I rather imagine this +used to be a favorite stamping ground for buffalo +in those good old days when herds of tens of thousands +could be met with, rolling like the waves of +a sea over the plains."</p> + +<p>"What makes you think so?" asked Bob, always +seeking information.</p> + +<p>"The grass, for one thing," came the reply. +"Then I noticed quite a few old sun-burned remnants +of skulls as we came along. The bone +hunter didn't gather his crop in this region, that +means. Besides, didn't you see all those queer +little indentations that looked as though they +might have been pools away back years ago?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, I did; and wondered whatever could +have made them," Bob admitted.</p> + +<p>"I may be wrong," Frank continued; "but +somehow I've got an idea that those must be what +they used to call buffalo wallows. Anyhow, that +doesn't matter to us. We've made a good day +of it; found a jim-dandy place for a camp; got +some juicy fresh meat; and to-morrow we hope to +land in Flagstaff."</p> + +<p>"And what then?" queried Bob.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> + +<p>"We'll decide that while we ride along to-morrow," +Frank answered. "Perhaps it may +seem better that we leave our horses there, and +take the train for the Grand Canyon; though I'm +inclined to make another day of it, and follow the +old wagon trail over the mesa, and through the +pine forest past Red Butte, to Grand View."</p> + +<p>"Listen to Buckskin snorting; what d'ye suppose +ails him?" asked Bob, as his chum stopped +speaking.</p> + +<p>"I was just going to say that myself," remarked +Frank, putting out his hand for his rifle; +and at the same time scattering the brands of the +dying fire so that darkness quickly fell upon the +spot.</p> + +<p>"Too late, I'm afraid," muttered Bob.</p> + +<p>"Seems like it, because the horses are sure +coming straight for us," said Frank; "but there +are many people moving around in this section, +and perhaps some tenderfeet from the East have +lost themselves, and would be glad of a chance to +sit by our blaze and taste antelope meat, fresh +where it is grown. Step back, Bob, and let's wait +to see what turns up!"<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> + +<h3>STANDING BY THE LAW</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"What had we ought to do?" asked Bob.</p> + +<p>"They must have seen our fire, and that's what +made them head this way. So, all we can do is +to wait, and see what they want," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"But there don't seem to be many in the +party," his chum went on.</p> + +<p>"I think not more than two, Bob."</p> + +<p>"You can tell from the beat of their horses' +hoofs—is that it?" inquired the boy who wanted +to learn.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's easy enough, Bob."</p> + +<p>By this time the sounds had grown quite loud, +and both boys strained their eyes, trying to locate +the approaching horsemen. In the old days on +the plains every stranger was deemed an enemy +until he had proven himself a friend. Nowadays +it is hardly so positive as that; but nevertheless +those who are wise take no chances.</p> + +<p>"I see them!" Bob announced; but although +the other saddle boy had not said so, he had picked +up the advancing figures several seconds before.</p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> + +<p>"One thing sure," remarked Frank, as though +relieved, "I reckon they can't be horse thieves +or cattle rustlers."</p> + +<p>"You mean they wouldn't be so bold about +coming forward?" ventured Bob.</p> + +<p>"That's about the size of it; but we'll soon +know," Frank went on.</p> + +<p>As the strangers drew rapidly nearer he began +to make out their "style" for the night was not +intensely dark. And somehow Frank's curiosity +increased in bounds. He discovered no signs of +the customary cowboy outfit about them. They +wore garments that savored of civilization, and +sat their horses with the air of men accustomed +to much riding.</p> + +<p>"Hold hard there, strangers; or you'll be riding +us down!" Frank sang out, as the newcomers +loomed up close at hand.</p> + +<p>At that the others drew rein, and brought their +horses to a halt. Bending low in the saddle they +seemed to be peering at the dimly-seen figures of +the two boys.</p> + +<p>"Who is it—speak quick!" one of the +strangers said; and Frank believed he heard a +suspicious click accompanying the thrilling words.</p> + +<p>"Two boys bound for Flagstaff and the Grand +Canyon," he answered, not wishing to take any +unnecessary chances.</p> + +<p>"Where from, and what's your names?" continued<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +the other, in his commanding voice, that +somehow told Frank he must be one accustomed +to demanding obedience.</p> + +<p>The ranch boy no longer felt any uneasiness. +He believed that these men were not to be feared.</p> + +<p>"I am the son of Colonel Haywood, owner +of the Circle Ranch; and this is my chum, Bob +Archer, a Kentucky boy," he said, boldly.</p> + +<p>Then the other man, who as yet had not spoken, +took occasion to remark:</p> + +<p>"'Taint them, after all, Stanwix! Perhaps +we've been following the wrong trail."</p> + +<p>The name gave Frank an idea. He had heard +more or less about the doings of a sheriff in a +neighboring county, called Yavapai, and his name +was the same as that mentioned by the second +dimly seen rider.</p> + +<p>"Are you gentlemen from Prescott?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"That's where I hold out when I'm home," +replied the one who had asked about their identity.</p> + +<p>"Are you Sheriff Stanwix?" pursued the boy, +while his companion almost held his breath in +suspense.</p> + +<p>"I am; and this is Hand, who holds the same +office in this county of Coconino," replied the +other, as he threw a leg over his saddle as though +about to dismount.</p> + +<p>Both of them joined the boys, leaving their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +horses to stand with the bridles thrown over their +heads, cowboy fashion.</p> + +<p>Frank meanwhile had picked up some small +fuel, and thrown it on the still smouldering fire. +It immediately started up into a blaze that continued +to increase.</p> + +<p>They could now see that their visitors were two +keen-eyed men. The evidence of their calling +lay in the stars that decorated their left breasts. +Both looked as though they could hold their own +against odds. And of course they were armed as +became their dangerous profession.</p> + +<p>Bob was especially interested. He had never +really had anything to do with an officer of the +law; and surveyed the pair with all the ardor +of boyish curiosity.</p> + +<p>To see one sheriff was a treat; but to have two +drop down upon them after this fashion must +be an event worth remembering.</p> + +<p>"We had the good luck to knock over a young +antelope just before dark," Frank remarked, after +each of the men had insisted in gravely shaking +hands with both himself and Bob. "Perhaps you +haven't had any supper, and wouldn't mind taking +pot luck with us?"</p> + +<p>"How about that, Hand?" questioned the taller +man, turning with a laugh to the second sheriff.</p> + +<p>"Just suits me," came the reply, as the speaker +threw himself down on the hard ground. "Half<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +an hour's rest will do the hosses some good, too."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, boys, we accept, and with pleasure," +Mr. Stanwix went on, turning again toward +Frank.</p> + +<p>Bob immediately got busy, and started to cut +further bits from the carcase of his small antelope. +There would be plenty for even the +healthy appetites of the two officers, and then +leave enough for the boys' breakfast.</p> + +<p>"We're in something of a hurry to get on to +Flagstaff ourselves, boys," the Yavapai sheriff +remarked, as he sniffed the cooking venison with +relish; "but the temptation to hold over a bit is +too strong. You see, Hand and myself have just +made up our minds to bag our birds this trip, no +matter where it takes us, or how long we're on the +job."</p> + +<p>"Then you're after some cattle rustlers or bad +men, I reckon," Frank remarked.</p> + +<p>"A couple of the worst scoundrels ever known +around these diggings," replied the officer. +"They've been jumping from one county into another, +when pushed; and in the end Hand, here, +and myself concluded we'd just join our forces. +We've got a posse to the south, and another working +to the north; but we happened to strike the +trail of our birds just before dusk, and we've been +following it in hopes of reaching Flagstaff before +they can get down into the gash, and hide."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> + +<p>"A trail, you say?" Frank observed. "Could +it have been the one I've been following just out +of curiosity, and because it seemed to run in the +very direction my chum and myself were bound?"</p> + +<p>"That's just what it was, Frank," the sheriff +answered, as he accepted the hot piece of browned +venison, stick and all, which Bob was holding out. +"We saw that there had come into the trail the +marks of two new hosses; and naturally enough +we got the idea that it might mean our men were +being followed by a couple of their own kind."</p> + +<p>"Then when you saw our little fire, you thought +we were the kind of steers you wanted to round +up?" the boy asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well," Mr. Stanwix replied with a little +chuckle; "we kept a touch on our irons when I +was asking you who you were; and if the reply +hadn't been all that it was, I reckon we'd have +politely asked you to throw up your hands, boys. +But say, this meat is prime, and seems to go to +the spot."</p> + +<p>"I don't know which spot you mean, Stanwix," +remarked the other officer, who was also munching +away like a half-starved man; "but mine suits +me all right. I'm right glad we stopped. The +rest will tone the nags up for a long pull; and as +for me, I'll be in great shape after this feed."</p> + +<p>Bob was kept busy cooking more and more, for +the two men seemed to realize, after once getting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +a taste, that they were desperately hungry. But +he did it with pleasure. There was something +genial about the manner of Mr. Stanwix that quite +captured the heart of the Kentucky lad. He +knew the tall man could be as gentle as a woman, +if the occasion ever arose when he had a wounded +comrade to nurse; and if his reputation did +not speak wrongly his courage was decidedly +great.</p> + +<p>While they sat there the two men talked of +various subjects. Frank was curious to know +something about those whom they were now +banded together in a determined effort to capture, +and so Mr. Stanwix told a few outlines of the +case.</p> + +<p>The men were known as the Arizona Kid and +Big Bill Guffey. They had been cattlemen, +miners, and about every other thing known to the +Southwest. By degrees they had acquired the +reputation of being bad men; and all sorts of lawless +doings were laid at their door. And finally +it came to defying the sheriff, evading capture by +flitting to another county, and playing a game of +hide-and-seek, until their bold methods were the +talk of the whole country.</p> + +<p>Then it was the Coconino sheriff had conceived +the idea of an alliance with his brother officer in +the adjoining county, of which the thriving city +of Prescott was the seat of government.</p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> + +<p>Frank even had Mr. Stanwix describe the two +men whom the officers were pursuing.</p> + +<p>"We expect to be around the Grand Canyon +for some weeks," the lad remarked; "and it might +be we'd run across these chaps. To know who +they were, would be putting us on our guard, and +besides, perhaps we might be able to get notice to +you, sir."</p> + +<p>"That sounds all right, Frank," the other had +hastened to reply; "and believe me, I appreciate +your friendly feelings. It's the duty of all good +citizens to back up the man they've put in office, +when he's trying to free the community of a bad +crowd."</p> + +<p>Then he explained just how they might get +word to him in case they had anything of importance +to communicate. Although the Tarapai +sheriff knew nothing about wireless telegraphy, he +did understand some of the methods which savage +tribes in many countries use in order to send news +hundreds of miles; sometimes by a chain of drums +stationed on the hill tops miles apart; or it may be +by the waving of a red flag.</p> + +<p>"And I want to tell you, Frank," Mr. Stanwix +concluded, "if so be you ever do have occasion to +send me that message, just make up your minds +that I'll come to you on the jump, with Hand at +my heels. But for your own sakes I hope you +won't run across these two hard cases. We've<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +got an idea that they mean to do some hold-up +game in the Grand Canyon, where hundreds of +rich travelers gather. And if luck favors us we +expect to put a spoke in their wheel before they +run far!"<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> + +<h3>THE MOQUI WHO WAS CAUGHT NAPPING</h3> +<br /> + +<p>Sheriff Stanwix arose with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Reckon we'd better be moving on, Hand," +he said, evidently with reluctance; for it was very +pleasant sitting there, taking his ease beside the +camp fire of the two boys; but when duty called +this man never let anything stand in the way.</p> + +<p>Their horses had not strayed far away. Like +most animals they had sought the company of +their kind, as various sounds indicated, Buckskin +doubtless showing his prairie strain by sundry nips +with his teeth at the strangers.</p> + +<p>Another shake of hands all around; then the +sheriffs threw themselves into their saddles, and +were off. The last the two lads saw of them was +when their figures were swallowed up in the night-mists; +and then it was a friendly wave of the arm +that told how much they had appreciated the hospitality +of the saddle boys.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, it doesn't seem quite so lonely +out here, after all," said Frank, laughing, as he +and his chum settled down again.</p> + +<p>"Why, no," added Bob, "I thought we owned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +the whole coop; but I take it back. There are +others abroad, it seems."</p> + +<p>"I only hope those two fly-by-night birds don't +take a notion to double on their trail, and come +back to pay us a visit," Frank remarked; and of +course Bob understood that he meant the bad men +who were being rounded up by Sheriff Stanwix, +aided by the official of Coconino County.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'd better douse the glim, then?" +Bob suggested.</p> + +<p>"Let it burn out," Frank remarked; "I don't +believe there's much chance of anybody else seeing +it now; because it's pretty low. Our tent +shows up about as plain, come to think of it; but +I don't mean to do without shelter."</p> + +<p>They sat there, chatting on various subjects, for +some time. Of course their mission to the region +of the greatest natural wonder in the world took +a leading part in this conversation. But then +they also spoke of their recent visitors; and as +Bob showed signs of considerable interest, Frank +told all he had ever heard about the valor of the +Prescott sheriff.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how you feel about it, Bob," +he said, at length, with a yawn, "but I'm getting +mighty sleepy."</p> + +<p>"Same here; and I move we turn in," Bob immediately +replied.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, as the idea had received unanimous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +approval, they took a look at the horses, now +staked out with the ropes, and, finding them comfortable, +both boys crawled under the canvas.</p> + +<p>Some hours later they were aroused suddenly +by a shrill yell. As they sat up, and groped for +their rifles, not realizing what manner of peril +could be hanging over them, the loud snorting +of the horses came to their ears.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" exclaimed Frank, in considerable +excitement. "Sounds like somebody might be +bothering our mounts!"</p> + +<p>Bob had not been so very long in the Western +country; but he knew what that meant all right. +Horses were supposed to be the most valuable +possessions among men who spent their lives on +the great plains and deserts of this region. In +the old days it was deemed a capital crime to steal +horses.</p> + +<p>So Bob, shivering with excitement, but not fear, +hastened to follow at the heels of his chum, as +Frank hastily crawled out of the tent.</p> + +<p>A rather battered looking moon was part way +up in the Eastern heavens. Though the light she +gave was none of the best, still, to the boys, coming +from the interior of the tent, it seemed quite +enough to enable them to see their way about, +and even distinguish objects at a little distance.</p> + +<p>Frank lost no time heading in the direction +where he knew the horses had been staked out.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> + +<p>"Anyhow, they don't seem to have got them +yet," remarked Bob, gleefully, as the sound of +prancing and snorting came to their ears louder +than ever.</p> + +<p>Frank stopped for a couple of seconds to listen.</p> + +<p>"Buckskin is carrying on something fierce," he +muttered. "He seems to be furiously mad, too. +Perhaps, after all, it may be a bear sniffing +around; though I'd never expect to find such a +thing out here, so far away from the +mountains."</p> + +<p>He again started on, with Bob close at his elbow. +The words of his chum had given the Kentucky +lad new cause for other thrills. What if it +should prove to be a grizzly bear? He had had +one experience with such a monster, and was not +particularly anxious for another, not being in the +big game class.</p> + +<p>Now they were approaching the spot where the +two roped horses were jumping restlessly about, +making queer sounds that could only indicate +alarm.</p> + +<p>Frank spoke to his animal immediately, thinking +to reassure him.</p> + +<p>"Easy now, Buckskin; what's making you act +this way? I don't see any enemy. If you've +given a false alarm, it'll sure be for the first +time!"</p> + +<p>"Frank!" ventured the other lad, just then.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> + +<p>"What is it, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"I thought I heard a low groan!" continued +the Kentucky boy, in awed tones.</p> + +<p>"You did?" ejaculated Frank, quickly. +"Have you any idea where it came from?"</p> + +<p>As if to make it quite unnecessary for Bob to +reply, there came just then a low but distinct grunt +or groan. Frank could not tell which.</p> + +<p>"Over this way, Frank; he's in this direction!" +exclaimed the impulsive Bob, as he started +to move off.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," said the practical and cautious +Frank. "You never know what sort of +game you're up against, around here. Some of +these horse thieves can toll a fellow away from +his camp to beat the band, while a mate gets off +with the saddle band. I've been warned against +that very sort of play. Go slow, Bob, and keep +a finger on your trigger, I tell you."</p> + +<p>They advanced slowly, looking all around in +the dim moonlight. Twice more the strange +sounds arose. Frank jumped to the conclusion +that it was, after all, no attempt to draw them +farther and farther away from the tent; because +the groans seemed to come from the one spot, instead +of gradually moving off in a tempting manner.</p> + +<p>"Here he is, Bob!" he said, presently; and +the other, looking, saw a huddled-up figure lying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +upon the ground in the midst of the low buffalo +berry bushes.</p> + +<p>Immediately they were bending over the form, +which had moved at their approach.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's an Indian, Frank!" cried Bob, in +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and unless I miss my guess, a Moqui +Indian at that," Frank replied. "Three of them +wandered down our way once, and gave us some +interesting exhibitions of their customs. You +know their home is up to the north. They are +said to be the descendants of the old cliff dwellers +who made all those holes high up in the rocks, to +keep out of the reach of enemies."</p> + +<p>He was bending down over the other even +while saying this; and feeling to see if the Indian +could have been wounded in any way.</p> + +<p>"What seems to be the matter with him, +Frank?" asked Bob, when this thing had been +going on for a full minute, the stricken man +grunting, and Frank appearing to continue his investigations.</p> + +<p>"I tell you what," Frank remarked, presently; +"I honestly believe he's been kicked by the heels +of my sassy little Buckskin; perhaps he's badly +hurt; and then again, he may only have had the +wind knocked out of him. That horse is as bad +as any mule you ever saw, when it comes to planting +his heels."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> + +<p>"But what was he prowling around the camp +for?" asked Bob, who had a hazy idea concerning +the red men of the West, gained perhaps +from early reading of the attacks on the wagon +trains of the pioneers of the prairie.</p> + +<p>"Oh! these Moqui Indians wouldn't do a white +man any harm, unless they happened to take too +much juice of the agave plant, in the shape of +mescal," Frank hastened to say; "and I don't +seem to get the smell of that stuff. So the +chances are that he had something of an eye to +our horses."</p> + +<p>"And as he didn't know about Buckskin's ways +he gave the little pony a chance to get in some +dents. But he may be badly hurt, Frank," Bob +went on, his natural kindness of heart cropping up +above any feeling of animosity he might have +experienced.</p> + +<p>"I suppose, then, we'll just have to tote the +beggar to the tent, and start up that fire again, +while we look him over. If those hind feet came +slap against his ribs, the chances are we'll find a +few of them broken."</p> + +<p>Swinging their rifles into one hand they managed +to take hold of the grunting Moqui, and in +this primitive fashion began hauling him along. +Buckskin continued to prance and snort as though +demanding whether he had not amply fulfilled his +duty as guardian to the camp; but no one paid the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +least attention to him just then. Arriving at the +tent the boys proceeded to rekindle the fire.</p> + +<p>"Why, he's coming to, Frank!" exclaimed +Bob, as, having finished his task, he turned to see +his chum bending over the victim of Buckskin's +hoofs, and noted that the would-be horse thief +was struggling to sit up.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe he's hurt very bad," Frank +declared. "I've felt all over his body, and don't +seem to find any signs of broken bones."</p> + +<p>"Listen to him gasp right now, as if the breath +had been knocked out of him," remarked Bob. +"He's going to speak, Frank, sure he is. I wonder +can we understand what he says. Moqui +wasn't included in my education at the Military +Institution at Frankfort."</p> + +<p>The Indian was indeed trying to get enough +air in his lungs to enable him to say something.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> + +<h3>"TALK ABOUT LUCK!"</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"No hurt Havasupai!" was what he managed +to say, hoarsely.</p> + +<p>"We're not going to hurt you, old man," remarked +Frank; for he had seen that the Indian +was no stripling. "What we want to know is, +how you came to get so close to the heels of my +horse as to be kicked? Tell us that, Havasupai, +if you please."</p> + +<p>There was no answer, although twice the exhausted +red man opened his lips as if to speak.</p> + +<p>"That knocks the props out from under him, +Frank," remarked Bob; "because he was bent on +getting away with one or both mounts."</p> + +<p>"How about that, Havasupai; weren't you +thinking of stealing a horse, when that animal +just keeled you over so neatly?" Frank demanded.</p> + +<p>The Indian was sitting up now. His head was +hanging low on his chest. Perhaps it was shame +that caused this: or it might have been a desire to +keep his face hidden from the searching eyes of +the white boys.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> + +<p>Then, as though realizing the utter folly of +denying what must appear so evident, he nodded +his head slowly.</p> + +<p>"It is true, white boy," he muttered, in fair +English. "Havasupai meant to take a horse. +He had looked upon the man who beckons, and +he was afraid, because he had trouble at his village. +He believed every man's hand was against +him. And so he would flee to the desert where +the white man's big medicine would not find him. +There he might die with the poison snakes and +the whooping birds."</p> + +<p>Bob was of course puzzled by some of the +things the Indian said.</p> + +<p>"What does he mean, Frank?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I take it the warrior has been in some sort +of fuss at his village," the other replied. "Perhaps +he even struck his chief in anger, and that +made an offense punishable with death. These +Moqui Indians are a queer lot, anyhow, I've +heard. Then he must have skipped out, and by +accident seeing our friend, Sheriff Stanwix, known +to him as the 'man who beckons,' he just imagined +they were looking for him."</p> + +<p>"And that locoed him so much that he just +couldn't stand it any longer," Bob said. "Discovering +our camp he got the notion in his head +that a horse might take him out of the danger +zone. So he was in the act of jumping on one of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +our mounts when your clever little beast took a +hand, or rather a hoof, in the matter. But do +you know what he means by whooping birds?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I can give a guess," replied Frank. +"That must mean the little owl that lives with +the prairie dogs in their holes, along with the +poison snake, otherwise the rattler."</p> + +<p>"Looks like we've just got our hands full to-night, +Frank!"</p> + +<p>"You're right, Bob. First we feed two hungry +sheriffs, and pick up quite a little news about the +bad men they're looking for. Next, along comes +this Moqui, Havasupai he says his name is, and +he gets in a bad fix by trying to run off our horses; +and feeling sorry for the old chap we lug him to +our tent, and look him over, ready to even bind +up his wounds, if he has any."</p> + +<p>"Getting to be a habit, isn't it, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Seems like it," returned the taller boy, as he +once more turned toward the seated Indian. +"Here, can you tell us where my horse kicked +you?"</p> + +<p>"It matters not much. Havasupai get what +he needs because he try to steal horse from good +white boys," came the humble reply.</p> + +<p>"One thing sure," remarked Frank aside to his +chum, "he's been in touch with the whites a heap, +or he wouldn't know how to talk as he does. But +then, that isn't so queer. You know that these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +Moquis pick up a lot of good coin from the travelers +who come and go at the Grand Canyon."</p> + +<p>"Why, yes," Bob went on to say, "I've always +heard that one of the sights of this wonderland +was the snake dance of the Moquis. I read an +account of it in a magazine once. It said that +hundreds of people gathered from many quarters +to be on hand and see it, because it occurs only +once a year. Some of them were big guns in +science, too."</p> + +<p>"They're getting more and more interested in +these Indians of the Southwest," Frank continued; +"and trying all the time to find out just where +they fit in the long-ago past. That's what made +old Uncle Felix, who had already made a name +for himself, give up his happy home, and hide all +these months down here. He wants to learn the +long-buried secrets of the past history of the +Zunis, the Moquis, and other tribes that might +have sprung from the old cliff builders."</p> + +<p>"But what can we do with this fellow, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, nothing much, I reckon," the other +answered, carelessly. "He must have been +plum locoed at seeing the sheriff, and hardly knew +what he was doing when he set out to grab Buckskin. +We'll just have to let him sleep here till +morning, and then give him a bite of breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Just as you say, Frank; you ought to know +what's best," Bob hastened to declare. "Now I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> +wonder what'll be the next thing on the programme? +I hope we don't have the two men the +sheriff is hunting, drop in to make us a call."</p> + +<p>"Little danger of that now," Frank remarked +reassuringly. "By this time they're well on their +way to Flagstaff. Here, Havasupai, as you call +yourself; we don't mean to do you any harm, even +if you did play us a mean trick when you tried to +steal a mount. Understand?"</p> + +<p>The old Indian looked up at Frank through +his masses of coarse black hair, just beginning to +be streaked with gray.</p> + +<p>"Not do any harm," he repeated, as though +hardly able to grasp the meaning of the words +Frank spoke; then his brown face lighted up with +a grim smile. "White boys good; Havasupai +glad him not take horse. Bad Indian! But +not always that way; him carry speaking paper +tell how make good," and he thumped his breast +as he said this.</p> + +<p>Again did Bob's eyes seek the face of his chum +in a questioning manner. Frank, having been +raised amid such scenes, could more readily understand +what the Moqui meant when he referred +to certain things which Bob had never heard mentioned +before.</p> + +<p>"He means that he's got a letter of recommendation +along with him, written by some tourist, +I reckon. Perhaps this old fellow may have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> +found a chance to do some one a good turn. He +may have run across a greenhorn wandering on +the desert; saved a fellow who had been stabbed +by the fangs of a viper from the Gila; or helped +him to camp when he broke a leg in climbing +around the Grand Canyon."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I see what you mean, Frank; that this +party wrote out a recommendation to all concerned, +stating that in his opinion Havasupai was +a fine fellow, and worth trusting. But then that +was before he got into this trouble at this village. +If he's a fugitive from justice at the hands of his +own tribe, such a paper isn't worth much, I guess."</p> + +<p>"No more it isn't," agreed Frank.</p> + +<p>"But all the same he means to stick us with it," +chuckled Bob; "for you can see he's got his hand +in his shirt right now, as if searching for something +so valuable that he won't even carry it in his +ditty bag."</p> + +<p>"That's right, Bob."</p> + +<p>"And now he's got in touch with that old letter," +grunted Bob. "I suppose we'll just have +to read it to please him."</p> + +<p>"You can if you care to," remarked Frank. +"As for me, I'm that sleepy I only want a +chance to crawl back into the tent, and take up my +interrupted nap where it broke off."</p> + +<p>"But good gracious! do you really mean it?" +exclaimed the puzzled Bob.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> + +<p>"Why not?" demanded his chum.</p> + +<p>"And leave him loose here, with the horses +close by?" Bob went on, aghast.</p> + +<p>At that Frank laughed a little.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, drily; "so far as the horses +are concerned, I reckon our old friend Havasupai +will go a long way on foot before he ever tries to +steal a promising looking pony again. As long +as he lives he'll remember how it feels to get a +pair of hoofs fairly planted against his back. So +long, Bob. Tell the old fraud he can lie down +anywhere he pleases, and share our breakfast in +the morning."</p> + +<p>"That's the way you rub it in, Frank; returning +evil with good," the Kentucky boy remarked. +"But since you want me to take him in hand, I'll +be the victim, and read his letter of recommendation, +though I can already guess what it will +say."</p> + +<p>The old Moqui had meanwhile succeeded in +getting out the paper which he seemed to set so +much store by. Looking up, and seeing that +Frank had turned away, he offered it to Bob, +who took it gravely, and proceeded to hold it so +that the light of the little fire would fall upon +the writing.</p> + +<p>Frank was half way in the tent when he heard +his chum give utterance to a shout. He backed +out again, and turning, looked hastily, half expecting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +to see Bob engaged in a tussle with the +old Indian.</p> + +<p>Nothing of the sort met his gaze. The Moqui +was sitting there, staring at Bob, who had +straightened up, and was starting to dance around, +holding the paper in his extended hand.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, Bob?" demanded the other. +"Haven't been taken with a sudden pain, after +all that venison you stowed away, I hope."</p> + +<p>"Come out here, Frank!" called the lad by +the fire. "Of all the luck! to think we'd strike +such a piece as this! It's rich! It's the finest +ever! We go to hunt for clues, and here they +come straight to us. Talk to me about the favors +of fortune, why, we're in it up to the neck!"</p> + +<p>"You seem to be tickled about something, Bob; +has that paper any connection with it?" demanded +Frank.</p> + +<p>"Well I should say, yes, by a big jugfull," replied +the Kentucky boy. "And you'll agree with +me when I tell you it's signed by Professor Felix +Oswald, the very man we're going to search the +Grand Canyon up and down to find!"<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> + +<h3>THE COPPER COLORED MESSENGER</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"Do you really mean it, Bob?" asked Frank, +with the bewildered air of one who suspects a +joke.</p> + +<p>"Take it yourself, and see," replied the other, +holding out the discolored and wrinkled sheet on +which the writing was still plainly to be read.</p> + +<p>Frank bent over, the better to allow the firelight +to fall upon the queer document. This was +what he read in a rather crabbed hand, though +the writing could be read fairly well:</p> + +<p><i>"To Whom it May Concern; Greeting!</i></p> + +<p>"This is to certify to the good character of +the bearer, a Moqui Indian by the name of Havasupai, +who has rendered me a very great service, +which proves him to be the friend of the white +man, and a believer in the pursuit of science. I +cheerfully recommend him to all who may be in +need of a trustworthy and capable guide to the +Grand Canyon.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 20em;">"<span class="smcap">Professor Oswald.</span></span>"</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> + +<p>Frank looked up to see the grinning face of his +chum thrust close to him.</p> + +<p>"Think it's genuine, Frank?" demanded the +other.</p> + +<p>"I can see no reason why it shouldn't be," answered +the other, glancing down again at the +crumpled paper he held, and which the old Moqui +was regarding with the greatest of pride on his +brown face.</p> + +<p>"Looks like that paper Mr. Hinchman +brought to my dad; yes, I'd stake my word on +it, Bob, that the same hand wrote both."</p> + +<p>"But how d'ye suppose this greasy old Indian +ever got the document?" asked the young Kentuckian.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to put it up to him, and find out," +came the reply. "He can speak United States +all right; we've found that out already; and so +you see, there's no reason under the sun why he +shouldn't want to tell us."</p> + +<p>He turned to the Moqui. It was not the same +sleepy boy apparently who, but a minute before, +had started to creep into the comfortable tent, +where the blankets lay; but a wide-awake fellow, +eager to ascertain under what conditions this fugitive +brave could have secured such a letter of +recommendation from the man of science, who +was supposed to have utterly vanished from the +haunts of men without leaving a single trace behind,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> +up to the hour that message came to Colonel +Haywood.</p> + +<p>Holding the paper up, and shaking it slightly, +Frank started to put the Moqui warrior on the +rack.</p> + +<p>"This belong to you, Havasupai?" he demanded, +trying to assume a stern manner, such +as he believed would affect the other more or +less, and be apt to bring out straight answers +to his leading questions.</p> + +<p>"The white boy has said," answered the other, +for an Indian seldom answers in a direct way.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get it?" Frank continued, +slowly, as if feeling his way; for he did not wish +to alarm the Indian, knowing how obstinate a +Moqui may prove if he once suspects that he is +being coaxed into betraying some secret or a +friend.</p> + +<p>The black, bead-like eyes were on the face of +Frank as he put these questions. Doubtless the +old Moqui balanced every one well before venturing +a reply.</p> + +<p>"He gave it," nodding in the direction of the +paper Frank held.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean the man who signed his name +here, Professor Oswald?"</p> + +<p>A nod of the head in the affirmative settled +that question.</p> + +<p>"Was he a small man with a bald head, no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +hair on top, and wearing glasses over his eyes, +big, staring glasses?"</p> + +<p>Frank aided comprehension by touching the top +of his own head when speaking about the loss of +hair on the part of the noted scientist; and then +made rings with his fingers and thumbs which +he clapped to his eyes as though looking through +a pair of spectacles.</p> + +<p>Evidently the Moqui understood. Reading +signs was a part of his early education. In fact +it comprised nearly four-fifths of all the Indian +knew.</p> + +<p>"White boy heap wise; he know that the man +give Havasupai talking paper. Much great man; +know all. Tell Havasupai about cliff men. Find +much good cook pot, heap more stuff in cave. +Find out how cave men live. Write all down in +book. Send Havasupai one, promise. It is +well!"</p> + +<p>"But where did you meet him?" asked Frank; +and he saw at once that this was getting very near +the danger line, judging from the manner in +which the Moqui acted; for he seemed to draw +back, just as the alarmed tortoise will hide its +head in its shell at the first sign of peril.</p> + +<p>"In canyon where picture rocks laugh at sun," +the Indian slowly said.</p> + +<p>"That ought to stand for the Grand Canyon," +remarked the boy.</p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> + +<p>The keen ears of the Moqui caught the words, +although they were almost spoken in whispers, +and only intended for Bob.</p> + +<p>He nodded violently, and Frank somehow +found himself wondering whether, after all, the +shrewd Indian might not be wanting to deceive +him. He may have conceived the idea that these +two white boys were the enemies of the queer old +professor; and for that reason would be careful +how he betrayed the man who trusted him.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Moqui," said Frank, putting on a +serious manner, so as to impress the other; "we +are the friends of the little-old-man who has no +hair on top of his head. We want to see him, +talk with him! It means much good to him. He +will be glad if you help us find him. Do you +understand that?"</p> + +<p>The Indian's black eyes roved from one to the +other of those bright young faces. Apparently +he would be foolish to suspect even for a minute +that the two lads could have any evil design in +their minds.</p> + +<p>Still, the crafty look on his brown face grew +more intense.</p> + +<p>"He has some good reason for refusing to accommodate +us, I'm afraid," Bob said just then, +as if he too had read the signs of that set countenance.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you answer me, Moqui?" Frank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +insisted, bent on knowing the worst. "We are +on the way now to find the man who gave you +this letter that talks. We have some good news +for him. And you can help us if you will only +tell in what part of the Grand Canyon Echo Cave +lies."</p> + +<p>The Indian seemed to ponder. Evidently his +mind worked slowly, when it tried to grapple with +secrets. But one thing he knew, and this must +be some solemn promise he had made the man of +science, never under any conditions to betray his +hiding-place to a living soul.</p> + +<p>"No can say; in canyon where picture rocks +lie; that all," he finally declared, and Frank +knew Indians well enough to feel sure that no +torture could be painful enough to induce Havasupai +to betray one he believed his friend, and +whose magic talking paper he carried inside his +shirt, to prove his good character.</p> + +<p>"That settles it, Bob, I'm afraid," he remarked +to his chum, who had been listening +eagerly to all that was being said. "You might +try all sorts of terrible things and he wouldn't +whisper a word, even if he believed all we told +him."</p> + +<p>"That's tough," observed Bob; "but anyhow, +we've got something out of it all, because we +know now that the silly old professor must be +hiding in one of those cliff caves, trying to read<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +up the whole life history of the queer people who +dug their homes out of the solid rock, tier after +tier, away up the face of the cliffs."</p> + +<p>"True for you, Bob, and I'm glad to see how +you take it. I had hoped the Moqui might make +our job easier, as he could do, all right, if only +he wanted to tell us a few things. But we're no +worse off than we were before, in all things, and +some better in a few."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could talk Moqui," declared Bob; +"and perhaps then I'd be able to make the old +fellow understand. Perhaps, Frank, if you gave +him a little note to Uncle Felix, he might promise +to take it to him later on!"</p> + +<p>"Hello! that's a good idea, I declare," exclaimed +Frank; "and I'll just do that same while +I think of it."</p> + +<p>He immediately drew out a pad of paper, and +a fountain pen which he often carried for business +purposes, since there were times when he had +to sign documents as a witness for his father.</p> + +<p>The old Moqui watched him closely. Evidently +the spider-like handwriting was a deep +mystery to him, and he must always feel a certain +amount of respect for any white person who could +communicate with another by means of the "talking +paper."</p> + +<p>"There," said Frank, presently, "that ought +to do the business, I reckon."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> + +<p>"What did you say?" asked his comrade, who +was busy at the fire just then, drawing some of +the partly-burned wood aside, so that their supply +might hold out in the morning.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Frank went on, "I told him dad had +his note, sent in that bottle. Then I mentioned +the important fact that the mine paper he carried +had increased in value thousands of dollars. +And I wound up by telling him how much we +wanted to see and talk with him. I signed my +name, and yours, to the note."</p> + +<p>"And now to see whether the Moqui will +promise to carry it to your great-uncle."</p> + +<p>Frank held the note up.</p> + +<p>"You will not tell us where we can find the +little man without any hair on his head, Havasupai," +he said. "But surely you will not say no +when I ask you to carry this talking paper to him. +It will please him very much. He will shake +your hand, and many times thank you. How?"</p> + +<p>The cautious old Moqui seemed to be weighing +chances in his suspicious mind.</p> + +<p>"Three to one he thinks we mean to spy on +him, and find it all out that way," was Bob's +quick opinion.</p> + +<p>"Just what was in my mind; I could read it +in his sly old face. But all the same he's going +to consent, Bob."</p> + +<p>The Kentucky boy wondered how Frank could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +tell this. He was even more surprised when the +Indian stretched out a hand for the note, as he +said solemnly:</p> + +<p>"Havasupai will carry the talking paper to the +man who has no hair on his head. But no eye +must see him do it. The white boys must say to +Havasupai that they will not try to follow him."</p> + +<p>Frank looked at his chum, and nodded.</p> + +<p>"We'll just have to do it, I guess, to satisfy +the suspicious old fraud, Bob," he remarked; and +then raising his hand, while his chum did likewise +Frank went on, addressing the Moqui, who +watched every action with glittering black eyes: +"We promise not to follow, Havasupai, and will +hope that this talking paper may cause the man-who-hides +to send you for us to take us to him. +You understand all that I am saying, don't +you?"</p> + +<p>The Moqui said something in his native +language, which of course neither of them comprehended. +But at the same time he reached out +his hand and deliberately took the note intended +for Uncle Felix.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah! he's going to act as our messenger!" +exclaimed Bob, filled with anticipations +of success. "Say, that was a pretty smart dodge +on our part, after all. But it makes me hold my +breath every time I think of our good luck in +running across this chap the way we did. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +Buckskin deserves all the credit. He did it with +his wonderful little tap."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Frank; "me for the land of +sleep now! Havasupai, you can lie down where +you will. In the morning we promise you a share +of our meat. How?"</p> + +<p>"It is well, white boy," replied the old Moqui, +as he dropped in a heap, and evidently meant to +sleep just as he was without any further preparations.</p> + +<p>Bob also crawled into the tent, although he had +some misgivings, and wondered whether his +chum were really doing a wise thing to trust one +who had just confessed to a desire to raid their +horses.</p> + +<p>But as Bob, too, was tired and sleepy, he soon +forgot all his suspicions in slumber. When he +awoke he could see the daylight peeping under +the canvas. Without disturbing his companion, +Bob immediately started to crawl out. He had +suddenly remembered the old Moqui; and it +seemed as though his fears must have returned +two-fold, and nothing would do but that he must +hasten to make sure all was well.</p> + +<p>Frank was just opening his eyes a little while +later when he saw Bob's head thrust in at the +opening of the tent.</p> + +<p>"Better get up, Frank," the other said. "I've +started the fire, and after we've had breakfast<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> +we'll be on our way. It was just as you said, +though; he had the good sense to keep clear of +the heels of the horses."</p> + +<p>"Who are you talking about, the Moqui?" +asked Frank, sitting up suddenly, as he caught a +peculiar strain in the other's voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, our friend, Havasupai; who vamoosed +in the night!" laughed Bob.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> + +<h3>AT THE GRAND CANYON</h3> +<br /> + +<p>"Do you mean it?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Come out, and see for yourself," Bob returned. +"I've looked all around, and not a sign +of the old fellow can I find."</p> + +<p>"And both horses are there?" Frank continued, +making a break for the exit.</p> + +<p>"As fine as you please. Our friend didn't +want a second try from those clever heels of +Buckskin. He gave them a wide berth when he +cleared out, I warrant. Oh! you can look everywhere, +and you won't see a whiff of Havasupai. +He's skipped by the light of the moon, all right."</p> + +<p>Bob backed off, as his chum walked this way +and that. He grinned as though he really enjoyed +the whole thing. In his mind he had +figured that it would turn out something this +way, so he was not very much surprised.</p> + +<p>"What d'ye think, Frank," he exclaimed, +presently; "don't you remember promising to +share our venison at breakfast with the Moqui?"</p> + +<p>"Why yes, to be sure I do; but what of that, +Bob?"</p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> + +<p>"Only that he didn't forget," laughed the +other.</p> + +<p>Frank immediately glanced toward the carcase +of the little antelope.</p> + +<p>"Ginger! he did go and cut himself a piece +from it, sure enough," he admitted.</p> + +<p>"While he thought our company not as nice +as our room, still, he didn't object to sharing our +meat. And, Frank, he wasn't at all stingy about +the amount he took, either," Bob complained.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, I reckon there's still enough for +us, and to spare. Besides, we've got heaps of +other things along in our packs, for an emergency, +you know. Suppose we make a pot of coffee, and +start things."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Frank; I'll attend to it," declared +Bob; "but why under the sun do you suppose +now, that sly old Moqui dodged out like +that?"</p> + +<p>"Well, for one thing, he may have suspected +us," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"What! after all we did for him, took him in, +and forgave his sins, even to offering to mend any +broken ribs, if he'd had any, through that horse +kick? I can't just understand that," Bob ventured, +while he measured out enough ground +coffee to make a pot of the tempting hot beverage.</p> + +<p>"He took the alarm, it seems," Frank went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +on, indifferently. "Knew we wanted to find the +man who had given him the talking paper; and +was afraid we might try to make him tell; or, +that failing, stalk him when he went to deliver +my note. And on the whole I can't much blame +the old Indian. Suspicion is a part of their +nature. He believed he was on the safe side in +slipping away as he did. Forget it, Bob. We've +learned a heap by his just dropping in on us, I +think."</p> + +<p>"Sure we have," replied the other, being busily +employed over the fire just then. "And I was +thinking what he could have meant when he +pointed off in the direction I calculate the Grand +Canyon lies, and said in answer to one of your +questions: 'Seek there! When the sun is red it +shines in Echo Cave!'"</p> + +<p>"I've guessed that riddle, and it was easy," +Frank remarked.</p> + +<p>"Then let me hear about it, because I'm pretty +dull when it comes to understanding all this lovely +sign language of the Indians," Bob remarked.</p> + +<p>"Listen, then. The sun is said to be red when +its setting; that's plain enough; isn't it, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"All O.K. so far, Frank. I won't forget that +in a hurry, either."</p> + +<p>"Then, when he said it looked into the cave +at sunset, it was another way of telling us the +cave faced the west!" Frank continued.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> + +<p>"Well, what a silly chap I was not to guess +that," chuckled the other.</p> + +<p>"And from what I know about the bigness of +that canyon, Bob, I think that this unknown Echo +Cave must be pretty high up on the face of a big +cliff to the east of the river."</p> + +<p>"Why high up? I don't get on to any reason +for your saying that?" inquired Bob.</p> + +<p>"You'll see it just as soon as I mention why," +remarked his companion. "When the sun is going +down in the west, far beyond the horizon, +don't you see that it can only shine along the very +upper part of the cliffs? The lower part is already +lost in the shadows that drop late in the +afternoon in all canyons."</p> + +<p>"Of course, and it's as plain to me now as the +nose on my face," agreed Bob. "Queer, how easy +we see these things after they've been explained."</p> + +<p>It did not take long to prepare breakfast, and +still less time to eat it once the coffee and venison +were ready. Just as Frank had said, there +was plenty of the meat for the meal.</p> + +<p>"That was a mighty juicy little antelope, all +right," remarked Bob, as he finished his last bite, +and prepared to get up from the ground where +he had been enjoying his ease during the meal.</p> + +<p>"And for one I don't care how soon you repeat +the dose," remarked Frank; "only it will be a +long day before you get one of the timid little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +beasts as easy as that accommodating chap fell +to your gun. Why, he was just a gift, that's all +you could call it, Bob."</p> + +<p>"That's what I've been thinking myself, though +of course I don't know as much about them as +you do, by a long shot," Bob admitted. "I suppose +it's us to hit the saddle again now?"</p> + +<p>"We're going to try and make Flagstaff by +night," Frank announced, as he picked up his saddle +and bridle, and walked toward the spot where +Buckskin was staked out.</p> + +<p>The horses had been able to drink all they +wanted during the night, for the ropes by means +of which they were tethered allowed of a range +that took them to the little spring hole from which +the water gushed, to run away, and, in the end, +possibly unite with the wonderful Colorado.</p> + +<p>In ten minutes more the boys were off at a +round gallop. There was no intention of pushing +their mounts so soon in the day. Like most +persons who have spent much time on horseback +both lads knew the poor policy of urging +an animal to its best speed in the early part of +a journey, especially one that is to be prolonged +for ten or twelve hours.</p> + +<p>At noon they were far enough advanced for +Frank to declare he had no doubt about being +able to make Flagstaff before sunset.</p> + +<p>"When we get there, and spend a night at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +hotel, we must remember and ask if our friend +Mr. Stanwix and his partner arrived in good +time, and went on," Bob suggested.</p> + +<p>Just as Frank had expected, they made the +town on the railroad before the sun had dropped +out of sight; and the horses were in fair condition +at that.</p> + +<p>Flagstaff only boasts of a normal population +of between one and two thousand; but there are +times, with the influx of tourists bound for the +Grand Canyon, when it is a lively little place.</p> + +<p>The two boys only desired shelter and rest for +themselves and their horses during the night. It +was their intention to push on early the following +day, keeping along the old wagon trail that at one +time was the sole means of reaching the then +little known Wonderland along the deeply sunk +Colorado.</p> + +<p>After a fairly pleasant night, they had an +early breakfast. The horses proved to be in fine +fettle, and eager for the long gallop. So the two +saddle boys once more started forth.</p> + +<p>The day promised to be still warmer than the +preceding one; and the first part of the journey +presented some rather difficult problems. They +managed to put the San Francisco Mountains behind +them, however, and from that on the dash +was for the most part over a fairly level plateau.</p> + +<p>Now and then they were threading the trail<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> +through great pine forests, and again it was a +mesa that opened up before them.</p> + +<p>Bob was especially delighted.</p> + +<p>"Think we'll make it, Frank?" he asked, +about the middle of the afternoon, as they cantered +along, side by side, the horses by this time +having had pretty much all their "ginger" as +Bob called it taken out of them, though still able +to respond to a sudden emergency, had one arisen.</p> + +<p>"I reckon so," replied the other. "According +to my map we're within striking distance right +now. Given two more hours, and we'll possibly +sight the border of the big hole. That was Red +Horse Tank we just passed, you know," and he +pointed out their position on the little chart to +Bob.</p> + +<p>It was half an hour to sundown when the well +known Grand View Hotel stood out in plain sight +before them; and before the shades of night commenced +to fall, the tired boys had thrown themselves +from their saddles, seen to the comfort of +the faithful steeds, and mounted to the porch of +the hotel for a flitting view of the amazing +spectacle that spread itself before them, ere darkness +hid its wonderful and majestic beauty.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> + +<h3>HOW THE LITTLE TRAP WORKED</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"What do you think of it?" asked Frank, +after they had stood there a short time, taking in +the picture as seen in the late afternoon.</p> + +<p>"It's hard to tell," Bob replied slowly. "It's +so terribly big, that a fellow ought to take his +time letting the thing soak in. That further wall +looks as if you could throw a stone over to it; +and yet they say it's more than a mile from here."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Frank went on, "and all along in the +Grand Canyon there are what seem to be little +hills, every one of which is a mountain in itself. +They only look small in comparison with the +tremendous size of the biggest gap in the whole +world."</p> + +<p>"And how far does this thing run—is it fifty +miles in length?" Bob asked.</p> + +<p>"I understand that the river runs through this +canyon over two hundred miles," the other replied. +"And all the way there are scores, if not +hundreds, of smaller canyons and 'washes,' +reaching out like the fingers of a whopping big +hand; or the feelers of a centipede."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> + +<p>"That's what I read about it away back; but +I had forgotten," Bob remarked. "And they say +that it would be a year's trip to try and follow the +Grand Canyon all the way down from beginning +to end, only on one side."</p> + +<p>"I reckon it would, for you'd have to trace +every one of these lateral gashes up to its source, +so as to cross over. And that would mean +thousands of miles to be covered."</p> + +<p>"Gee!" exclaimed Bob, throwing up his hands +as he spoke; "when you say that, it makes a fellow +have some little idea of the size of this hole. +And to think it's come just by the river eating +away the soil!"</p> + +<p>"They call that erosion," remarked Frank, +who had of course posted himself on many of +these facts, during his previous visit to the +canyons of the Little Colorado. "It's been going +on for untold thousands of years; and as the +river with its tributaries has gradually eaten away +the soil and rocks, it has left the grandest pictured +and colored walls ever seen in any part of this +old earth."</p> + +<p>"When that afternoon sun shines on the red +rocks it makes them look almost like blood," declared +Bob. "And already I'm glad we came. +I think just now I could be happy spending months +prowling around here, finding new pictures every +day."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> + +<p>"Then you don't blame old Uncle Felix for +staying, do you?" laughed Frank.</p> + +<p>"Sure I don't," returned the other lad, with +vehemence. "And besides, you must remember +that he had another string to his bow."</p> + +<p>"Meaning his craze to be the fortunate man +of science to unravel the mystery that has always +hung over the homes of those cliff dwellers?" +Frank went on.</p> + +<p>"I can understand how it must appeal to a +man living as Professor Felix has all these years," +mused Bob. "And think of those queer old fellows +picking out this one place of all the wide +country to build their homes."</p> + +<p>"That was because there could be no place +that offered them a tenth of the advantages this +did," Frank remarked, pointing across the wide +chasm to the towering heights that could be seen. +"Think of hundreds of miles of such cliffs to +choose from! And as the softer rock was washed +out by the action of floods countless ages ago, +leaving the harder in the shape of astonishing +shelves and buttes, these people took a lesson +from nature, and carved their roomy homes by +following the pliable stone."</p> + +<p>"Say," Bob exclaimed, "that makes me think +of what I read about the catacombs of Rome; +how, for hundreds of miles, they run in every +direction, following the course of veins of earth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +in the rock, that were selected by those who dug +'em."</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Frank, "these people built +their homes up in the cliffs in order to be safe. +Nobody seems to know what they were afraid of, +whether savage tribes, or great beasts that may +have roamed this part of the country a thousand +and more years ago."</p> + +<p>"And that's the bait that has drawn the old +scientist here, to study it all out, and write up the +history of the people who looked on this very +picture so many hundreds of years back. Why, +Frank, some of the cliffs they say are about a +mile high! That's hard to believe, for a fact."</p> + +<p>"But it's been proved true," the other asserted. +"The trouble is, that everything here is +on such an awful big scale that a fellow fools +himself. Actual measurement is the only way to +prove things. The eye goes back on you. Why, +I've looked out on a clear day in Colorado, and +believed I could walk to a mountain in an hour. +They told me it's base was fifty miles away; and +there you are."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll have to put off looking till morning," +said Bob, regretfully; "because the sun's +dropped out of sight, and it's getting pretty thick +down there in the hole. And to think that to-morrow +we'll be pushing along through that place, +with the walls shutting us in on both sides."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> + +<p>"Not only to-morrow, but for many days, perhaps," +Frank added; for more than ever did he +begin to realize the enormous task that confronted +them; it was almost like looking for a +needle in a haystack; but if one possesses a +powerful magnet, even then the bit of steel may +be recovered in time.</p> + +<p>Did they happen to know of any such magnet?</p> + +<p>Almost unconsciously Frank's thoughts went +out toward that old Moqui brave, Havasupai, +who had fled from his village because of some +act which he had committed; but who was now +determined to return, and take his punishment +with the stoicism Indians have always shown.</p> + +<p>The Moqui might be the connecting link! He +alone knew where the hermit had his lodging, possibly +in one of those quaint series of cliff dwellers' +homes, which for some reason he called Echo +Cave.</p> + +<p>"We must ask if our friend Sheriff Stanwix +has been here," Bob suggested, as they went to +their room to prepare for supper.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" replied his chum, "I did that when I +spoke with the clerk at the desk. You were looking +after the ponies at the time, so as to make +sure they'd be well taken care of for a week, or a +month if necessary."</p> + +<p>"And what did he tell you, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"They got here, all right," came the reply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> +"If you'd looked sharp when you were out there +in the hotel stables, you might have recognized +both their mounts; for they left them here at +noon to-day."</p> + +<p>"Noon!" echoed Bob; "then they made +mighty good work of it, to get ahead of us all +that time. I reckon you're going to tell me they've +gone down into the canyon, and put in several +hours looking for their birds, the two fellows +who've given 'em the merry laugh more'n a few +times."</p> + +<p>"Guessed right the first shot," Frank went on, +"but all that doesn't concern us one half as much +as some other information I struck."</p> + +<p>"And you've been keeping it back from me, +while we stood there on the piazza, admiring the +wonderful view," Bob remarked, with a touch +of reproach in his voice.</p> + +<p>"There were people passing us, all the time," +his chum explained; "and besides, I wanted to +keep it until we were alone, so we could talk it +over."</p> + +<p>"Is it about that scheming cousin of your +father's—what did you say his name was—Eugene +Warringford?"</p> + +<p>"You got it straight enough," Frank admitted; +"and what I learned, was about him. I saw his +name on the register, and he's somewhere about +the hotel right now. I had a suspicion that I saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +some one trying to get near us while we stood +there, drinking in that picture; and Bob, while I +couldn't just hold up my hand and say for sure, +I think it was that tricky Abajo."</p> + +<p>"The half-breed cowboy who left Circle Ranch +because he had some news for this Eugene that +the fellow would be apt to consider mighty +valuable, because it meant a stake of a million or +two dollars; is that right, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"The same Abajo," his chum continued; +"which proves that those two are bound up in a +plot to win this game. If Eugene can only find +Uncle Felix he intends to get that paper in his +possession, by fair means or foul."</p> + +<p>"Then it's up to us to put a stopper in his +little bottle!" declared Bob.</p> + +<p>"I'm wondering," Frank proceeded, "whether +they've got any idea where to look for the man +who has hidden himself away for three years. +Perhaps they mean to keep tabs on us, and if we +are lucky enough to discover Uncle Felix, they +hope to jump in, and snatch away the prize before +we can warn him."</p> + +<p>"Say, this is getting to be a pretty mix-up all +around," laughed the Kentucky lad. "Here we +are, meaning to try and follow the old Moqui; or +failing that, wait for him to fetch us a message +from the hermit of Echo Cave. Then Eugene, +and his shadow, Abajo, are hanging around with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +the idea of beating us at our game. Havasupai on +his part will be heading for the cave that lies in +an unknown part of the Grand Canyon, and all +the while dodging about for fear that he is followed."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Frank, falling in with the idea; +"and perhaps there are the Moquis from his village +who may have had word somehow of his return, +searching for Havasupai, and bent on bringing +him to the bar of their tribal law. To finish +the game, think of our friends, the two sheriffs, +loose in the big gash, and hunting for the men +who have snapped their fingers in their faces so +often across the line!"</p> + +<p>"Well, it sure looks like there might be some +warm times coming," remarked Bob. "I suppose +we take our guns along with us when we're going +the rounds of the sights?"</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't think of doing anything else," was +Frank's reply. "No telling when we might need +'em. Suppose, now, those two rascals the sheriffs +are after should learn in some way about the +value of the paper Uncle Felix has with him, +wouldn't they just make it the game of their lives +to try and capture him? And I reckon Eugene, +too, will be so dead in earnest that he won't stop +at little things, backed up by such a reckless character +as the Mexican. Yes, the repeating rifles +go along, Bob!"</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> + +<p>"This water feels fine after that long, dusty +and tiresome ride, eh?" remarked the young +Kentuckian, as he splashed in the deep basin, and +then proceeded to use the towel vigorously.</p> + +<p>"It certainly does," Frank admitted, as he did +likewise.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward the two boys went down to +supper. The hotel had its usual number of guests, +this being a favorite point for parties to start on +the tour.</p> + +<p>"Don't look just now," said Frank, as they +sat at a table; "but Abajo has taken his seat right +back of you. And it wasn't accident, either, that +made him do it; I believe he has been set to watch +us!"</p> + +<p>From time to time, as they ate, Frank would +report as to what the half-breed was doing; and +while nothing occurred to actually prove the fact, +still he saw no reason to change his mind.</p> + +<p>"And I'm going to find out if he's keeping +an eye on us, so as to report to his employer, +Eugene Warringford," Frank announced, as they +were drawing near the end of the meal.</p> + +<p>"That sounds good to me," Bob remarked; +"but how will you do it?"</p> + +<p>For answer Frank drew out a paper from an +inner pocket.</p> + +<p>"You see this document," he observed, with a +solemn look. "Well, it's only what you might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> +call a dummy, being just an invitation I received +a little while back to invest in some worthless +mines over in the Hualpai Mountains of Mohave +County. I kept it, meaning to figure out how +these sharpers work their game. Now, when I +hand you this, look deeply interested, as though +it might be connected with the finding of Uncle +Felix."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I see your move, and go you one better, +Frank."</p> + +<p>For some little time they seemed to be conversing +intently. Frank would occasionally tap +the document, which he had sealed up in its +envelope, as though he laid great stress on it. +Finally he placed it on the table alongside his +plate, and kept on talking.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward the boys left the table in +apparently such a hurry that they both forgot the +envelope that lay there, half hidden by a napkin.</p> + +<p>Passing out of the room, they dodged back, +and peered around the corner of the doorway.</p> + +<p>"There's the waiter at the table," said Bob. +"Now he's found the fine tip you left there, and +is putting it in his pocket, with a grin. If everybody +treated him as well as that, he'd soon be +owning one of these hotels himself, Frank."</p> + +<p>"Watch!" remarked his chum, in a low +whisper. "Now he's discovered the document +lying there where I left it. He takes it up. Perhaps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +he sees another dollar coming to him when +he runs after us to return it."</p> + +<p>"But there's somebody at his elbow," Bob +went on to say; "and it's Abajo, as sure as you +live. He's saying something, and I reckon telling +the waiter that you asked him to get the +packet. There, he slips some money in the fellow's +hand; and the waiter lets him take the +envelope. And we'd better slip behind this coat +rack here, for Abajo will be heading this way in +a hurry."</p> + +<p>And hardly had they carried out that programme +ere the half-breed glided past, one hand +held in the pocket where he had thrust the "valuable" +document!<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> + +<h3>GOING DOWN THE CANYON TRAIL</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"Was I right?" asked Frank, after the half-breed +had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"I should say yes," replied his chum, who had +followed the vanishing figure of Abajo with +staring eyes.</p> + +<p>"He got the precious paper, all right, eh?" +Frank went on, chuckling.</p> + +<p>"He sure did, and bribed our friend the waiter +to let him carry it off. Shows how you can trust +anybody in the tourist country, where they are +nearly all out for the money," Bob declared, indignation +struggling hard with a sense of humor.</p> + +<p>"But just stop and think how easy Abajo, +sharp rascal that he is, rose to my little bait?" +laughed Frank. "Just as I expected, he was +watching us all the time we examined that wonderful +paper, and of course he believed it to be something +for which his employer would reward him +heavily, if he could only lay hands on it."</p> + +<p>Bob himself was laughing now, as the full sense +of the ridiculous character of Frank's little joke +broke upon him.</p> + +<p>"Oh! my, think what will happen when Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +Warringford tears open that envelope, and sees +how his spy has been fooled!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"There's only one bad thing about it, Bob!"</p> + +<p>"What is that?" inquired the other.</p> + +<p>"Eugene is, I take it, a clever fellow," said +Frank, seriously; "and he'll understand that this +was done with a purpose. It will make him suspect +that we're onto the game, and that we know +he has the half-breed watching our every move."</p> + +<p>"Well, what of that, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, only after this we may expect they'll +change their tactics more or less, and play on another +string of the fiddle," the other saddle boy +replied.</p> + +<p>"All right," Bob remarked. "Forewarned is +forearmed, they say; and if we know Eugene is +laying low for us, we can be on our guard."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's all very good," Frank went on, +shaking his head; "but once we get into the big +canyon it may pay us to keep an eye out for overhanging +rocks."</p> + +<p>"Say, you don't mean to tell me you think +Eugene would go that far?" demanded Bob, +startled at the very idea of such a thing.</p> + +<p>"I don't like to think he would; but you never +can tell," Frank replied. "When a man like +Eugene Warringford sells his soul, and with a +chance of getting a big stake, he is generally ready +to shut his eyes, and go the limit."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> + +<p>"But, Frank, that would be terrible! One of +those rocks, coming down from the face of a high +cliff, would seriously injure us!"</p> + +<p>"Sure it would, and on that account we must +keep on the watch all the time," Frank continued. +"But I don't see Abajo anywhere about the +piazza of the hotel; do you?"</p> + +<p>"He's gone, and I reckon to carry that wonderful +find of his to the man who employs him," Bob +remarked. "Wouldn't I give a dollar to be hiding +close by when he runs across Eugene, and +they open the envelope you sealed! Wow! it +will be a regular circus! Can't you imagine that +yellow face of the half-breed turning more like +saffron then ever when he learns that we played +him for a softy?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you were near by, Bob, I wouldn't +be surprised if you just had to stick your fingers +in your ears," chuckled Frank.</p> + +<p>"I reckon they will have a heap to say about +it; and Abajo, after this, won't take us for easy +marks, will he?" Bob remarked, in a satisfied +tone.</p> + +<p>A short time later they were in their room.</p> + +<p>"You don't suppose now, Frank, that we'll be +bothered to-night?" Bob observed, as he stood +there by the window looking out toward the +Grand Canyon.</p> + +<p>At that the other laughed quite merrily.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> + +<p>"Don't give yourself any uneasiness about +that, Bob," he remarked. "In the first place nobody +would bother trying to get up here, even if +they could, when so many better chances of reaching +us will crop up after we start into the canyon +to-morrow. Then again, we haven't anything to +be stolen but our rifles, and what little cash we +brought along for expenses."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I suppose I am silly thinking about it," +admitted Bob, "but some way that half-breed +seems to be on my nerves. His face is so sly, and +his black eyes just glitter as I've seen those of a +snake do when he's going to strike. But, just as +you say, it's foolish to borrow trouble, and I must +get those notions out of my head."</p> + +<p>"That's the talk, Bob," his chum declared, +heartily. "Morning will find us in fine trim to +make a start into this big ditch. And before another +night you'll be so filled with wonder over +what you see that these other things will take a +back seat."</p> + +<p>"But do you think we ever can find the hermit +of Echo Cave?" asked Bob.</p> + +<p>"I think we've got a pretty good chance, if +we're left alone," came the ready reply.</p> + +<p>"Meaning if this Eugene Warringford keeps +his hands off; and nothing else turns up to balk +us?" Bob asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, all of that, and more," Frank admitted.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> + +<p>"But already I find myself wishing we had +somebody along with us, like Old Hank Coombs +for instance, Frank."</p> + +<p>"Well, who knows what may happen?" said +the other, a little mysteriously. "D'ye know, +Bob, I saw my dad winking at Hank when he +thought I wasn't looking; and on that account +I've got half an idea he meant to send the old +man, perhaps with a second cowboy, along on +our trail. We may run across friends here when +we least expect it."</p> + +<p>"I hope it turns out that way," declared the +Kentucky boy; "because Hank is just what you +might call a tower of strength when he's along. +Remember how fortunate it was he turned up +when he did, at the time we wanted to follow +that plague of the cattle ranges, the wolf, Sallie? +I reckon we'd have had a much harder time bagging +our game if Hank hadn't been along."</p> + +<p>"Well, get to bed now," Frank counseled; +"and let to-morrow look out for itself."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll be with you in three shakes +of a lamb's tail," declared Bob.</p> + +<p>But before he left the window Frank noticed +that he thrust his head out, as if desirous of making +sure that no one could climb up the face of +the wall, and find entrance there while they slept.</p> + +<p>Bob was not a timid boy as a rule; in fact he +was deemed rather bold; but just as he said, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +dark face of Abajo had impressed him unfavorably; +and he felt that the young half-breed would +be furious when he learned how neatly he had +been sold.</p> + +<p>Nor did anything happen during that night as +they slept upon the border of the Wonderland. +Both lads enjoyed a peaceful sleep, and awoke +feeling as "fresh as fish," as Bob quaintly expressed +it.</p> + +<p>Breakfast not being ready they walked about, +viewing the astonishing features of the canyon as +seen from the bluff on which the hotel stood. +Down in the tremendous gap mists were curling +up like little clouds, to vanish as they reached +the line where the sunlight fell. It was a sight +that appalled Bob, who declared that he felt as +though looking into the crater of some vast +volcano.</p> + +<p>"Well," remarked Frank, "they did have +volcanos around here, after this canyon was +pretty well formed, though perhaps thousands of +years ago. Great beds of lava have been found +down in the bottom of the hole, so my little guide +book tells me. But look away off there, Bob, +and see that peak standing up like the rim of a +cloud. Do you know what that is?"</p> + +<p>"I heard one man say," Bob replied, quickly, +"Navajo Peak could be seen on a clear morning, +and perhaps that's the one; but Frank, just think,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +it's about a hundred and twenty miles off. Whew! +they do things on a big scale around here; don't +they? I'd call it the playground of giants."</p> + +<p>"And you'd about hit the bulls eye," his chum +observed; "but there goes the call for breakfast."</p> + +<p>"I feel as if I could stow away enough for a +crowd, this mountain air is so fresh and invigorating," +Bob remarked, as they headed for the +dining room.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later they were once more in +front of the hotel, and interviewing a guide who +had been recommended by the manager as an experienced +canyon man. It ended in their making +terms with John Henry, as the fellow gave his +name; though of course Frank was too wise to +tell him what their real object was in exploring +the tremendous gap. That could come later on.</p> + +<p>At about nine o'clock they started down the +trail that led from Grand View into the depths +of the fearful dip. And as they descended, following +their guide, Bob found himself realizing +the colossal size of everything connected with +the rainbow-hued canyon walls.</p> + +<p>Nor was his mind made any easier when Frank +took occasion, half an hour later, to bend toward +him, and say in the most natural manner possible, +though in low tones:</p> + +<p>"They're on the job again, Bob—Abajo and +Eugene—because I happened to see them watching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +us start down the trail; and they had some one +along with them, perhaps a guide; so we'll have +to take it for granted that they mean to dog us all +the time, hoping to steal our thunder, if we make +any lucky find!"<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> + +<h3>THE HOME OF THE CLIFF DWELLERS</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>Although Bob had anticipated such a thing, +still the knowledge that it was actually coming to +pass gave him a thrill. For some little time he +did not say anything; but Frank could see him +look uneasily up at the walls that now arose sheer +above their heads some hundreds of feet.</p> + +<p>Frank had studied the situation as well as he +could, both from a map of the canyon which he +found in the little guide book, and his own observations. +All the while he kept before him +that admission on the part of the old Moqui +whom they had befriended, to the effect that the +Westering sun shone full in Echo Cave. So he +expected to find the home of the hermit-scientist +high up in the wall on the Eastern side of the +Grand Canyon.</p> + +<p>First he intended heading toward the East, +and going just as far as they could. Days, and +perhaps weeks, might be spent in the search for +the strange cave that had once been the home +of those mysterious cliff people, which cavern Professor +Oswald was occupying while studying the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +lives and customs of the long departed people who +had dug these dwellings out of the rock.</p> + +<p>At noon they had made good progress; but +when the tremendous size of that two hundred +mile canyon was taken into consideration, with its +myriad of side "washes," and minor canyons, the +distance that they had covered was, as Bob aptly +declared, but a "flea-bite" compared with the +whole.</p> + +<p>And Frank declared time and again it had been +a lucky thought that caused his chum to suggest +that they bring the field glasses along. They +were in almost constant use. Far distant scenes +were brought close, and high walls could be examined +in a way that must have been impossible +with the naked eye.</p> + +<p>Of course Frank was particularly anxious to +scrutinize every colored wall that faced the West. +The rainbow tints so plainly marked, tier above +tier, called out expressions of deep admiration +from the two lads; but all the while they were +on the watch for something besides.</p> + +<p>When Frank ranged that powerful glass along +the ragged face of a towering cliff he was looking +eagerly for signs of openings such as marked the +windows of the homes fashioned by the strange +people of a past age.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon they actually discovered +such small slits in the rock—at least they looked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +like pencil markings to them when the guide first +pointed out the village of the ancient cliff dwellers; +though on closer acquaintance they found +that the openings were of generous size.</p> + +<p>"Shall we climb up that straggly path along the +face of the wall, and see what the old things look +like?" asked Bob, as the guide made motions upward.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we ought to have our first sight of such +places," Frank replied, in a cautious tone. "Not +that I expect we're going to find our hermit there, +or in any other village that's known to tourist +travel. But we ought to get an idea of what +these places are like, you see. Then we'll know +better what to expect. And perhaps the conditions +will teach us how to discover <i>his</i> hiding place."</p> + +<p>Accordingly they started to climb upward, just +as many other tourists had been doing for years. +There were even places, "aisles of safety," Bob +called them, where one who was ascending, upon +happening to meet a descending investigator, +could squeeze into a hole in the rock until the +other had slipped by.</p> + +<p>Of course it was a risky climb, and no lightheaded +person could ever dream of taking it. But +the two saddle boys were possessed of good nerves +and able to look downward toward the bottom of +the canyon, even when several hundred feet up in +the air.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> + +<p>Then they entered the first hole. It seemed to +be a fair-sized apartment, and was connected with +a string of others, all running along the face of +the cliff; so that those who occupied them in the +long ago might have air and light.</p> + +<p>The boys observed everything with the ordinary +curiosity expected of newcomers. Frank even investigated +to see if there were any signs to indicate +that those old dwellers in the canyon knew +about the use of fire; and soon decided that it was +so.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you think about this?" Bob +asked, after they had roamed from one room to +another. "For my part I think I'd fancy living +in one of those three story adobe houses of +the Hopi Indians, we saw pictures of at the hotel; +or even a Navajo hogan. But one thing sure, +these people never had to worry about leaking +roofs."</p> + +<p>"No," added Frank, laughing; "and floods +couldn't bother them, because the Colorado never +rose three hundred feet since it began cutting out +this canyon."</p> + +<p>"And think of the grand view they had before +their doors, with the canyon in places as much as +thirteen miles across, and mountains in their dooryard, +looking like anthills," Bob went on impressively.</p> + +<p>"Makes a fellow feel mighty small; doesn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +it?" Frank remarked, as he stepped to a window +to look out again.</p> + +<p>"Makes me feel that I want to get down again +to the trail," admitted Bob. "I'm wondering +whether it's going to be much harder getting back +than it was coming up."</p> + +<p>"That's always the case," Frank declared, "as +I've found out myself when climbing up a steep +cliff. But the guide is ready for you, Bob, if you +show signs of getting dizzy. You have seen that +he carries a rope along, just like the Swiss guides +do."</p> + +<p>"Oh! come, Frank! Go easy with me; can't +you?" the other exclaimed. "I hope I'm not +quite so bad as that."</p> + +<p>"All the same, Bob, don't take any chances; +and if you feel the least bit giddy, let me know. +This is a case where an ounce of prevention is +better than a pound of cure. And a stout rope is +a mighty good thing to feel when your foot slips."</p> + +<p>It turned out, however, that the Kentucky lad +was as sure-footed as a mountain goat. He descended +the trail, with its several ladders, placed +there of course by modern investigators, without +the least show of timidity.</p> + +<p>They continued along the bed of the wide canyon. +At times they followed the ordinary trail. +Then again Frank would express a desire to have +a closer look at some high granite wall that hovered,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +for possibly a thousand feet, above the very +river itself; and this meant that they must negotiate +a passage for themselves.</p> + +<p>No doubt John Henry, the guide, must have +thought them the queerest pair of tourists he had +ever led through the mysteries of the Grand Canyon. +But as yet Frank had not thought fit to enlighten +him. He was not altogether pleased with +the appearance of the guide, and wished to wait +until he knew a little more about his ways, before +entrusting him with their secret.</p> + +<p>More than a few times during that day Frank +believed he had positive evidence that they were +being watched. Of course they met frequent +parties of pilgrims wandering this way and that, +as they drank in the tremendous glories of the +canyon; but occasionally the boy believed he had +seen a head thrust out from behind some rock in +their rear, and then hastily withdrawn again as he +looked.</p> + +<p>Of course he could make a guess as to who was +taking such a interest in the progress of his chum +and himself. No one, save Eugene Warringford, +would bother for even a minute about what they +were doing, since richer quarry by far than a +couple of boys would catch the eye of any lawless +desperado, like those the two sheriffs were following, +bent on making a haul.</p> + +<p>"Frank," said Bob, when the afternoon was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> +drawing to a close, and they had begun to think of +picking out the spot where they would spend the +night; "tell me why you chose to head toward the +East instead of the other way, where Bright Angel +trail attracts so many tourists?"</p> + +<p>Frank cast one glance toward the guide, as +if to make sure that John Henry was far enough +in advance not to be able to catch what was said.</p> + +<p>"I had a reason, Bob," he remarked, seriously. +"Before we got down into the canyon, so as to +choose which way we would go, I talked with +several men who were coming up. And Bob, I +learned that an old Moqui Indian had been seen +heading toward the East late last night!"</p> + +<p>"And you think it may have been our friend, +Havasupai?" asked Bob.</p> + +<p>"I'm pretty sure of it, from the descriptions +they gave me," came the answer.</p> + +<p>"But Frank, think how impossible it seems +that he could have reached here almost as soon +as we did; unless the old warrior was able to +fly I don't see how it could be done."</p> + +<p>"I'm just as much up a tree as you are, Bob," +laughed the other; "but, all the same, I believe +the Moqui has arrived, and is on his way right +now to where Echo Cave lies."</p> + +<p>"Then he must have an aeroplane to help him +out, for I don't see how else he could make it," +Bob insisted.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> + +<p>"Think for a minute, and you'll see it isn't actually +impossible," Frank continued. "He could +have made Flagstaff that night, just as we did."</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Bob, "that's a fact; for while +he said he was tired, and wanted a mount to fly +from his people, who were looking for him, still +I understand that these Moquis are wonderful +runners, and game to the last drop of the hat. +Oh! I grant you that he could have made Flagstaff +that night sometime."</p> + +<p>"Well, Flagstaff is on the railroad, you +know," Frank remarked.</p> + +<p>"Sure! I see now what you are hitting at," +Bob observed; "the old Indian must have had +money, as all his kind have, what with the tips +given by tourists day after day. He could +have come to Grand View on the train. Frank, +once more I knuckle down to your superior wisdom. +That's what Havasupai must have done, +sure pop!"</p> + +<p>"Anyhow," the other continued, "it pleases me +to believe so; and that the Moqui is even now hurrying +to make connections with the hermit in this +mysterious Echo Cave. There's still another +reason, though, why I picked out this course up +the river, instead of going down. It is connected +with the fact that the Moquis have their homes +in this quarter."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Bob, "I catch on now to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +what you mean. The chances are that the Moqui +would be prowling around within fifty miles of his +own shack when he ran across the man-with-the-shining-spot-in-his-head, +otherwise the bald Professor +Oswald."</p> + +<p>"That's the point, Bob."</p> + +<p>"It sure beats everything how you can get on +to these things, Frank. Here I'm going to be a +lawyer some day, so they tell me; and yet I don't +seem to grab the fine points of this game of hide-and-seek +as you do."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well," Frank remarked, consolingly; "a +lawyer isn't supposed to know much about trails, +and all such things. That comes to a fellow who +has spent years outdoors, studying things around +him, and keeping his wits on edge all the while."</p> + +<p>"I hope to keep on learning more and more +right along," said Bob.</p> + +<p>"Here comes John Henry back, to tell us he +has found a good place for camping to-night; so +no more at present, Bob."</p> + +<p>It proved just as Frank had said. The guide +declared that as the sun was low down, the canyon +would soon be darkening; and they ought to make +a halt while the chance was still good to see what +lay around them.</p> + +<p>Accordingly they made a camp, and not a great +distance away from the border of the swirling +river that rolled on to pass through all the balance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +of that wonderful gulch, the greatest in the known +world.</p> + +<p>They had come prepared for this, carrying quite +a number of things along that would prove welcome +at supper time. A cheery fire was soon blazing, +and the guide busied himself in preparations +for a meal; while the two boys wandered down to +the edge of the river, to throw a few rocks into +the current, and talk undisturbed.</p> + +<p>"There are several other camps not far away," +remarked Frank. "I could see the smoke rising +in two places further on."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Bob, "and there's one behind +us too, for I saw smoke rising soon after we +halted. Perhaps that may be Eugene's stopping +place; eh, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't be surprised one little bit. Just +look at the river, how silently it pushes along +right here. It's deep too; and yet below a mile +or so it frets and foams among the boulders that +have dropped into its great bed from the high +cliffs."</p> + +<p>"And they do say some bold explorers have +gone all the way through the canyon in a boat; but +I reckon it must be a terrible trip," Bob ventured +to say.</p> + +<p>"Excuse us from trying to make it," laughed +Frank; "by the time we'd reach Mohave City, +where that bottle was picked up, there wouldn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +be much left of us. But let's go back to camp +now. John Henry must have grub ready."</p> + +<p>Three minutes later he suddenly caught Bob's +sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Wait up!" he whispered. "There's somebody +talking to our guide right now; and say, Bob, +don't you recognize the fellow?"</p> + +<p>"If I didn't think it was silly I'd say it was old +Spanish Joe, the cowboy we had so much trouble +with on Thunder Mountain," Bob declared, +crouching down.</p> + +<p>"Well, think again," said Frank; "and you'll +remember that Abajo is his nephew!"<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> +<br /> + +<a name="guide" id="guide"></a> +<p class="center"><a name="image-2" id="image-2"><!-- Image 2 --></a> +<img src="images/illus-140s.jpg" class="jpg" height="524" width="366" alt="THERE'S SOMEBODY TALKING +TO OUR GUIDE RIGHT NOW" title="There's Sombody Talking to Our Guide Right Now" /></p> +<p class="image"><a name="now" id="now" href="images/illus-140x.jpg" class="image"> +View larger image</a></p> + +<p class="center">"THERE'S SOMEBODY TALKING TO OUR GUIDE RIGHT NOW."<br /> +<i>Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon</i> <a href="#Page_134"><i>Page 134</i></a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> + +<h3>THE TREACHEROUS GUIDE</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"Why, of course he is," declared Bob; "and +it looks as if our old enemies had cropped up +again, to join forces with the new ones. That +will make three against us; won't it, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"The more the merrier," replied the other, but +Bob could see that he was inwardly worried over +the new phase of the situation.</p> + +<p>"Look at the way Spanish Joe is arguing with +John Henry!" said Bob. "The guide keeps +pointing this way, as if he might be afraid we'd +come back, and see him talking with Old Joe. +Now they shake hands, Frank. Do you think any +bargain has been struck between them?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it has," replied his comrade, gritting +his teeth with displeasure. "John Henry +has sold us out, and gone over to the enemy for +cash. I saw him hide something in his pocket."</p> + +<p>"Then what will we do about him?" asked +Bob, clenching his fist, as if it might give him considerable +pleasure to take the treacherous guide +personally in hand, and teach him the needed lesson.</p> + +<p>"That's easy," chuckled Frank. "We'll keep +on guard to-night, and when he sees how we hang<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +to our guns he won't try any tricks, you may be +sure."</p> + +<p>"And in the morning?" Bob went on.</p> + +<p>"Why," declared Frank, firmly; "there's only +one thing to be done—we must fire John Henry, +even if we have to pay him the whole sum agreed +on for the week."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear you say that, Frank; because +I'd hate to have him along. Why, he might take +a notion to step on my fingers when I was climbing +up after him, and claim it was only an accident, +but if I had a broken leg, or a cracked skull, +that wouldn't do me any good, I take it."</p> + +<p>"There, Joe is moving off, and we can head +for camp," Frank remarked, as they still hovered +behind the spur of rocks that had concealed them, +though allowing a view of the little camp.</p> + +<p>"But you don't want to tell John Henry that +we saw him making a bargain with Spanish Joe, I +take it?" Bob questioned.</p> + +<p>"That's right, we don't; and try to keep from +looking as if you suspected him. Now his back +is turned, come along," and Frank, rising, led +the way.</p> + +<p>The preparations for supper went on apace. +The guide was unusually talkative, Bob thought, +and he wondered whether it was not the result of +a disturbed conscience. Perhaps John Henry +might not be wholly bad, and was worried over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> +having entered into an arrangement to betray his +generous young employers.</p> + +<p>"What are we going to do for a guide when +we let him go?" asked Bob, later on, after they +had eaten supper, and John Henry had wandered +down to the river for a dip, as he said.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to trust to luck to pick up another," +Frank declared. "And if it comes to the +worst, we can go it alone, I reckon. I've never +been up against such a big job as this, but I think +I'd tackle it, if I had to. But wait and see what +another day brings out."</p> + +<p>When it came time for them to retire they began +talking about their ranch habit of standing +guard. The guide laughed at the idea of any +harm coming to pass while they were there in the +canyon.</p> + +<p>"Lots of other tourists are camping inside of +three mile from here," he said; "and I heard the +sheriff of the county himself is somewhere down +in the canyon; so it don't look as how there could +anything happen. But just as you says, boys; if +it makes you feel better to stand guard, I ain't +got a thing agin it."</p> + +<p>The night passed without any sort of attack. +Either Frank or Bob sat up all the time, with a +trusty rifle ready; but there was no occasion to +make use of the weapon.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> + +<p>With the coming of morning they made +ready to eat a hasty breakfast. After this was +over Frank found himself compelled to discharge +the guide.</p> + +<p>"We've concluded to do without your services, +John Henry," he said, as the man stood ready to +start forth on the way along the canyon, heading +East.</p> + +<p>"Me? Let me go? What for?" stammered +the fellow; turning red and then white as a consciousness +of his guilt broke upon him.</p> + +<p>"Here's what we promised to pay you for the +week," continued Frank. "We want no hard +feelings about it. Never mind why we let you go. +You can think what you like. But next time you +hire out to a party, John Henry, be careful how +you let anybody hand you over a few dollars to +make you turn against your friends."</p> + +<p>The man tried to speak, and his voice failed +him. They left him standing there, holding the +bills Frank had thrust into his hand, and looking +"too cheap for anything," as Bob said. Perhaps +he feared that the boys might tell what they knew +about him, and in this way destroy his usefulness +as a canyon guide ever afterwards.</p> + +<p>"Good riddance to bad rubbish!" declared +Bob, after they had gone on half a mile, and on +looking back saw John Henry still standing there +as if hardly knowing whether to be sorry, or glad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +over having received full pay for a week after +only working a single day.</p> + +<p>"And here we are cut loose from everybody, +and going it on our own hook," laughed Frank. +"But it would be foolish for us to think of doing +without a guide if so be we can find one. We'll +ask every party we meet, and perhaps in that way +we can strike the right man."</p> + +<p>During the morning they came upon several +parties making the rounds of the Wonderland +along the beaten channels. Sometimes women +were in the company, for the strange sights that +awaited the bold spirit capable of enduring ordinary +fatigue tempted others besides men to undertake +one of the trips.</p> + +<p>Just at noon the two boys came upon a lone +Chinaman sitting at a little fire he had kindled, +cooking a fish, evidently pulled from the river by +means of a hook and line.</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you think!" exclaimed Frank, +as he stared at the Oriental; "Bob, don't you recognize +that cousin of our ranch cook, Ah Sin, the +same fellow who was down at our place five +months ago? Hello! Charley Moi, what are +you doing in the big canyon, tell me?"</p> + +<p>The Chinaman jumped up, and manifested more +or less joy at the sight of Frank. He insisted on +shaking hands with both the boys.</p> + +<p>"How do? Glad see Flank, Blob! Me, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +cook for plarties in Gland Canyon. Hear of +chance gettee job up Gland View Hotel. Go +there now. Alle samee like see boys from Circle +Lanch. How Ah Sin? Him berry veil last time +hear samee."</p> + +<p>Frank had an idea.</p> + +<p>"See here, Charley Moi," he said; "you say +you've been about the big canyon a long time now, +serving as a cook to parties who go up and down. +Perhaps we might engage you to stay with us!"</p> + +<p>"Me cook velly fine much all timee. You tly +Charley Moi, you never say solly do samee!" declared +the Oriental, his moon-like face illuminated +with a childlike and bland smile.</p> + +<p>"But we want you for a guide too, Charley; +you ought to know a heap about the place by this +time," Frank went on.</p> + +<p>"Alle light, me do," replied the other, glibly. +"No matter, cookee or guide, alle samee. Lucky +we meet. Tly flish. Just ketchee from water. +Cook to turnee. Plentee for all. Then go like +Flank, Blob say. Sabe?"</p> + +<p>As it was nearly noon the boys were quite satisfied +to make a little halt, and taste the fresh fish +which the Chinaman had succeeded in coaxing +from the rushing waters of the nearby Colorado.</p> + +<p>Later on they once again made a start. +Charley Moi did everything in his power to prove +his fidelity and faithfulness. He seemed proud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +of the fact that the son of the big owner of Circle +Ranch, where his cousin worked as cook for the +mess, trusted him, and had employed him as a +guide. Never before in the history of the Grand +Canyon had a Chinaman held such an exalted +office; and Charley believed he had cause to feel +proud.</p> + +<p>"Can we trust him?" Bob asked, as evening +came on again. "I've always heard that Chinamen +are treacherous fellows."</p> + +<p>"Then you've heard what isn't true," Frank +replied. "A Chinaman never breaks his word. +Over in the Far East I've read that all the merchants +of British cities are Chinese. The Japs +are a different kind of people. Yes, we can trust +Charley Moi. He would never betray us to our +enemies."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, that night the boys also slept on +their arms, so to speak. One of them remained +on guard at different times, the entire night. +Frank had learned caution on the range. He did +not mean to be taken by surprise; though he really +believed that nothing would be done to injure +them until after they had found some trace of the +hidden hermit of Echo Cave.</p> + +<p>Before another twelve hours had passed he had +occasion to change his opinion. The night did +not bring any alarm in its train. Charley Moi +was up several times, shuffling around, looking at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +the fire, and sitting there smoking his little pipe, +as though in satisfaction over having struck such +a profitable job so easily; but he gave no sign of +holding any intercourse with outsiders.</p> + +<p>With the coming of morning they were once +more on the way. Frank noticed with considerable +satisfaction that now they seemed to be beyond +the ordinary limit of the various trails taken +by the regular tourist parties.</p> + +<p>They were walking along, about the middle of +the morning, when they found themselves in a +lonely region, where the dim trail led along the +foot of rugged walls stretching up, red and apparently +unscalable, to the height of hundreds of +feet.</p> + +<p>Frank was craning his neck as he looked up +overhead, wondering if it could be possible that +there was any sign of an abandoned cliff dwellers' +village there, when he saw something move, and +at the same instant he jumped forward to pull his +chum violently back.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> + +<h3>A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>Bob opened his mouth to call out, and ask what +was the matter, that his chum had seized upon +him so fiercely. But he held his breath, for something +came to pass just then that made words entirely +unnecessary.</p> + +<p>A huge rock seemed to slip from its notch up +on the side of the cliff, and come crashing down, +loosening others on the way, until finally the rush +and roar almost partook of the nature of a small +avalanche.</p> + +<p>Charley Moi had skipped out in a lively manner, +and thus managed to avoid being caught. +Bob stared at the pile of broken rock, about +which hung a little cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>"Wow! that was as close a call as I ever hope +to have, Frank!" he exclaimed, with a little +quiver to his voice.</p> + +<p>Frank himself was a bit white, and his hand +trembled as he laid it on that of his chum.</p> + +<p>"I just happened to be looking up, and saw it +trembling on the break," he said. "Only for +that we might have been underneath all that +stuff."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> + +<p>"But did you notice the clever way Charley +Moi avoided the deluge?" said Bob, trying to +smile, though he found it hard work.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's hard to catch a Chinaman napping, +they say," Frank went on. "Three times this +very day I've heard the thunder of falling rocks, +and that was what kept me nervous; so I watched +out above. And, Bob, it seemed as though I +must have seen that big rock just trembling as it +started to leave the face of the cliff."</p> + +<p>"Well, all I can say then, is, that you jumped +to the occasion mighty well. Some fellows would +have been scared just stiff, and couldn't have +thrown out a hand to save a chum. But look +here, Frank, you don't imagine that thing was +done on purpose, do you?"</p> + +<p>Frank looked at his companion, with a +wrinkle on his forehead.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to think anybody could be so +mean and low as to want to hurt boys who'd +never done them any harm," he said; "but all +the same I seem to have an idea that I got a +glimpse of a man's arm when that rock started to +drop."</p> + +<p>"Whew! you give me a cold chill, Frank," +muttered Bob, gazing helplessly upward toward +the spot from which the descending rock had +started on its riotous tumble.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I hope I was mistaken," Frank went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +on. "I don't see anything up there now; and +perhaps it was only a delusion. All these bright +colors affect the eyes, you see. Then, again, it +might have been some goat jumping, that started +that rock on its downward plunge."</p> + +<p>"But you didn't see any goat, Frank, did +you?" Bob asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't," admitted the other; "but then +there may be a shelf up there, and any animal on +it would be hidden from the eyes of those right +below."</p> + +<p>They passed on; but more than once Bob +craned his neck in the endeavor to look up to that +spot, from whence the loose rock had plunged. +He could not get it out of his head that foes were +hovering about, who thought so little of human +life that they would conspire to accomplish a +death if possible.</p> + +<p>The day passed without any further peril confronting +them. Charley Moi seemed to fill the +bill as a guide, very well. He also knew the +different points of interest, and chattered away +like a magpie or a monkey as they kept pushing +on.</p> + +<p>Bob became curious to know just how the +Chinaman could tell about so many things when +they were now above the trails used ordinarily +by tourists, who gave two or three days to seeing +the Grand Canyon, and then rushed away, thinking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +they had exhausted its wonders, when in fact +they had barely seen them.</p> + +<p>He put the question to Charley Moi, and when +the smiling-faced Chinaman replied, Frank +caught his breath.</p> + +<p>"That easy, bloss," said Charley, nodding. +"Happen this way. Long time black me 'gage +with sahib, like one know out in Canton. Think +have samee big joss some bit up here in canlon. +Me to bling grub to certain place evly two month. +Him give me list what buy, and put cash in hand. +Know can trust Chinaman ebery time. Many +time now me do this; so know how make trail up-river, +much far past same tourist use. Sabe, +Flank, Blob?"</p> + +<p>The two boys stared at each other, unable to +say a word at first. It was as if the same tremendous +thought had come to each.</p> + +<p>"Gee whiz! did you get on to that, Frank?" +finally ejaculated Bob.</p> + +<p>"I sure did," replied his chum, allowing his +pent-up breath full play.</p> + +<p>"Charley says he engaged himself to a gentleman +long ago; perhaps it was as much as three +years back, the time that the professor disappeared +from the haunts of men. And, Frank, +his part of the contract was to come to a certain +point away up here in the Grand Canyon, once +every two months, at a time agreed on, bringing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> +a load of food, as per the list given him by this +mysterious party."</p> + +<p>"It must be Professor Oswald!" exclaimed +Frank. "I've been wondering all the time how +under the sun he could have supplied himself with +food these long months if he'd cut loose from the +world, as he said in that note he had. Now the +puzzle begins to show an answer. Charley Moi +is the missing link. He has kept the professor +in grub all the time. Did you ever hear of such +luck? First we run across that old Moqui, who +has been in touch with the man we want to find; +and now here's the one who comes up here every +little while to deliver his goods, and get a new +list, as well as money to pay for the same. It's +just the limit, that's what!"</p> + +<p>He turned to the Chinaman, and continued:</p> + +<p>"Did you happen to notice, Charley, whether +this party you are working for is a bald-headed +man? Has he a shining top when he takes his +hat off; and does he bend over, as if he might be +hunting for diamonds all the time?"</p> + +<p>The Chinese guide smirked, and bobbed his +head in the affirmative.</p> + +<p>"That him, velly much, just same say. Shiny +head, and blob this away alle time," with which +he walked slowly forward, bending over as +though trying to discover a rich vein of gold in +the seamed rock under his feet.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> + +<p>"Shake hands, Bob," said Frank. "We're +getting hot on the trail. Now we needn't have +any doubt at all about the choice of the eastern +route. It's the right one; and somewhere further +on we're just bound to find Echo Cave."</p> + +<p>"Then all we've got to fear, Frank, is the +work of Eugene and his crowd. Let us keep +clear of that bad lot, and we're going to succeed. +Any time, now, we may glimpse our old Moqui, +returning with a message from the professor, if +he sees fit to reply to your appeal. He may, +though, be so set and stubborn that nothing will +move him from his game of hiding. Then we'll +have to get that paper, with his signature, and +save the mine for his family."</p> + +<p>"That's what I mean to do," replied the other, +with grim determination. "If he's so wrapped +up in his scheme that he just won't come out, +we're going to do the best we can to save his +fortune in spite of him. There's his daughter +Janice to think of. Above all, we mustn't let +that schemer, Eugene Warringford, get his +fingers on the document."</p> + +<p>That night they made camp in a little cave that +offered an asylum. The boys rather fancied the +idea for a change. And they passed a very comfortable +night without any alarm.</p> + +<p>Once, Bob being on duty near the mouth of the +opening, heard a shuffling sound without. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +could not make out whether it was caused by the +passage of a human being, or a bear. Half believing +that they were about to be attacked by +some animal that fancied the cave as a den, he +had drawn back the hammer of his rifle, and +watched the round opening that was plainly seen +at the time, as it was near morning, and the small +remnant of a moon was shining without.</p> + +<p>But he waited in vain, and, as the minutes passed +without any further alarm, Bob heaved a sigh of +relief. It was all very well to think of shooting +big game; but under such conditions he did not +much fancy a close battle.</p> + +<p>When morning came, and he had told Frank +about it, the other immediately went out to look +for traces of the animal. As he came back Bob +saw by the expression on his chum's face that +Frank had made some sort of discovery.</p> + +<p>"How about it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"It was no bear," replied the other, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"But sure I heard something moving, Frank, +and I was wide-awake at the time, too," Bob protested.</p> + +<p>"I guess you were, all right," Frank admitted. +"A man passed by, not far from the mouth +of the cave. He even stooped down, and looked +in, though careful not to let his head show +against the bright background. Then he went +off again up the canyon."</p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> + +<p>"Since you know so much, Frank, perhaps you +could give a guess as to who he was," said Bob, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"No guess about it," came the reply. "I've +examined his track before, and ought to know it +like a book. It was Abajo, Bob!"</p> + +<p>"Then ten to one, Spanish Joe and Eugene +were close by!" declared Bob. "Say, do you +really believe he knew we were in here?"</p> + +<p>"Of course he did," Frank asserted. "Perhaps +they saw us enter. But Abajo also knows +that both of us are fair shots. He did not dare +take the chance of trying to creep in. It would +be more dangerous than our going into that wolf +den."</p> + +<p>"The plot seems to be thickening, Frank. It +won't be long now before something is bound to +happen. If we could only run across the old +Moqui now, and hear that he carried a message +in answer to your note, that would clear the air +a heap, wouldn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we must live in hopes," replied Frank, +cheerfully. "And now, after a bite which +Charley Moi is getting ready for us, we'll be off +again, and tackle the roughest traveling in the +whole canyon, so he says. But he knows the +way, because he was led up here by the old professor, +and told to come back every two months."<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> + +<h3>THE WINDOWS IN THE ROCKY WALLS</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"Well, here it's the fourth day we've been +out, and nothing doing yet, Frank!"</p> + +<p>Bob spoke gloomily, as though the unsuccessful +search was beginning to pall upon him a little. +Boys' natures differ so much; and while the young +Kentuckian had many fine qualities that his chum +admired, still he was not so persistent as Frank.</p> + +<p>Nothing could ever daunt the boy from Circle +Ranch. Difficulties, he believed, were only +thrown in his way to bring out the better parts +of his nature. The more a fellow found himself +"up against it," as Frank called meeting +trouble half-way, the stronger became his character.</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, now, Bob, I wouldn't say that," +he answered the complaint of his chum. "Just +think what tremendous progress we've been making +right along. And if the very worst comes, +didn't Charley Moi say that it was only a week +now before he must get another stock of things +to eat, and won't he have to wait at the place of +meeting, for the 'learned sahib' to appear, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +take them from him, as he has done so often? +Why, we can be in hiding nearby, and meet the +professor, even against his will."</p> + +<p>"That's so," Bob admitted, the argument +proving a clincher; "and I reckon I'm a silly +clown to think anything else."</p> + +<p>"No, you're only tired, after a pretty tough +day, that's all," Frank declared. "When you've +had a rest you'll feel better. I'm more used to +this sort of thing than you are, old fellow; but +all the same we must admit that we're getting the +greatest view ever of this old canyon."</p> + +<p>"That's so, Frank, and it's worth all the +climbing and sliding, too. But every time we've +discovered signs of any of those old deserted +homes of the cliff dwellers, why, we find they've +been visited time and again by curious folks hoping +to discover some treasure, or keepsakes of +the extinct people. No chance for the old professor +to hide away there."</p> + +<p>"But pretty soon we're going to discover a +new batch of those caves in the face of the rock, +something unknown to all other searchers. +We'll find it by the aid of this same glass; and because +we're looking for it, high up. In all these +other cases you see, Bob, there were shelves of +rock above shelves; and new ladders have been +made by the guides, so that anybody with nerve +could climb up and up. Now these ladders give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> +the thing away. And I've somehow got the +notion in my head that in the case of the rock +dwellings where the professor is hiding himself, +there is no outward sign in the shape of ladders."</p> + +<p>"But in that case, Frank, how under the sun +could the old fellows ever get up to their dens, +which you said must be near the top of a high +cliff?"</p> + +<p>"Well, that's something we're going to find +out later on, you see," replied the other, serenely. +"Perhaps they had some way of lowering themselves +from the top by means of a rope, or a +stout, wide grape vine. Then, again, there may +be some cleft in the rock farther away, that no +one would notice; but which was used as a trail, +running up into the cliff, and to the rock houses."</p> + +<p>"It does take you to figure out these things," +declared Bob, in admiration, as they trudged +along, with Charley Moi in advance.</p> + +<p>"Then we haven't yet got to the place where +the Chinese buyer meets his employer with the +eatables?" Bob remarked after a little silence.</p> + +<p>"The last time I asked him he kept saying it +was only a little farther along," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"There, look at him stopping right now; and +Frank, he's grinning at us in a way that can only +mean one thing. That must be where he always +waits for the queer old gentleman to show up."</p> + +<p>"How about that, Charley; is this the place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> +where you hang out?" asked Frank, as they hastened +to join the guide.</p> + +<p>"Allee samee place," replied Charley Moi, +waving his yellow hand around him. "Not +know where shaib come fromee, always turn +roundee rock," and he pointed to a large outlying +mass that had, ages ago, become detached from +the towering cliff overhead, and fallen in such a +fashion as to partly obstruct the canyon trail.</p> + +<p>Frank looked around him eagerly.</p> + +<p>"We must be getting warmer all the time," +he remarked; "and if you just take a look at +that river right now, you'll see that up yonder the +rock rises up almost from its very flood. When +the water is high it must sweep along against the +face of that big cliff. And Bob, something seems +to tell me that somewhere inside of a mile or so, +we're going to find what we're looking for."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I hope so!" echoed Bob, with a look of +expectancy on his face; for he always put great +reliance on the common sense of his chum; and +when Frank said a thing in that steady tone, the +Kentucky boy believed it must be so.</p> + +<p>Frank called a halt then and there.</p> + +<p>"We're tired, anyway," he said, "and might +as well spend the night here. Besides, I just +want to find a place were I can take a good look +through the glass up at that cliff near the top. +It faces the West, all right, you see; and the indications<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> +are that somewhere or other I'll find +signs of the queer windows belonging to some of +those cave houses."</p> + +<p>The camp was made, and Charley Moi busied +himself with his fire. Bob had some things he +wished to attend to; while Frank took the glass, +and, settling down in a place where he believed +he could get a fair view of the upper strata of +colored rock, began carefully scrutinizing the +cliff.</p> + +<p>"The time is right, because the old Indian said +the Westering sun shone in the mouth of Echo +Cave," Frank mused, as he pursued his work, +not disappointed because failure came in the beginning.</p> + +<p>Frank had been at work possibly six or eight +minutes when he gave utterance to a low exclamation. +Then he fixed his field glasses upon a certain +spot as though something had caught his attention +there.</p> + +<p>"Bob!" he called out.</p> + +<p>"Want me?" asked his chum from the spot +where the fire was burning.</p> + +<p>"Yes, come here please," Frank continued.</p> + +<p>Bob quickly complied with the request. He +knew that although his camp-mate spoke in such +a quiet tone, he had evidently made a discovery. +Frank could repress his feelings even in a moment +of great excitement, which was something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +beyond the ability of the more impetuous Kentucky +lad.</p> + +<p>"What have you found, Frank?" he asked, as +he reached the side of the other.</p> + +<p>"Here, take the glass," said Frank. "Point +it toward that little cone that seems to rise up +like a chimney above the level of the cliff top. +Got it now? Well, let your glass slowly drop +straight down the face of the rock. Never mind +the glint of the sun, and the fine rich color. I +know it's just glorious, and all that; but we're +after something more important now than pictures +and color effects. What do you see, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Honest now, I believe you've hit the bulls-eye +this time, Frank."</p> + +<p>"Then you think they're windows, about after +the same style as those holes in the rock where +we climbed up the ladders to the deserted homes +of the old time cliff dwellers?" asked the other.</p> + +<p>"Sure they are; no mistake about it, either," replied +Bob, and then he gave a low exclamation.</p> + +<p>"What did you see?" demanded Frank, as if +suspecting the truth.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," came the reply; "but something +seemed to move just inside one of those +openings. It may have been a garment fluttering +in the breeze that must be blowing so far up the +heights; and then, again, perhaps some hawk, or +other bird, has its nest there, and just flew past.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +I couldn't say, Frank; but I saw <i>something</i>, and +it moved!"</p> + +<p>Frank took the glass, and looked long and +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Whatever it was," he remarked, "it doesn't +mean to repeat the act. But all the same, Bob, +I've got a hunch we've found the place, and that +Echo Cave lies far up yonder in that beetling +cliff."</p> + +<p>"It's a fierce reach up there," remarked Bob, +as he scanned the height. "How under the sun +d'ye suppose that old professor could ever get up +and down? Too far for him to have a rope ladder; +and even if he had, how could he reach the +place at first? Frank, all the way up, I can't +see the first sign of any rock shelves, where ladders +might have rested long ago."</p> + +<p>"That's so," replied the other, reflectively. +"The face of the cliff is as even and smooth as a +floor. Nobody would ever look to find a cluster +of cliff dwellers' homes up there; that is, nobody +but a man like Professor Oswald, who has made +a life study of such things, and knows all the indications. +But something tells me we're pretty +near the end of our long trail. The only question +now is, how can we get in touch with the +hermit of Echo Cave?"</p> + +<p>As night settled down the two boys returned +to the fire, still perplexed.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> + +<h3>FINDING A WAY UP</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>That night they kept no fire going. Frank +seemed to think it best that they remain quiet, so +as not to announce their presence in the neighborhood. +Though for that matter, it would seem +that if any one were perched aloft in one of those +slits in the face of the cliff, that represented the +windows of the cave dwellings, the entire canyon +below must be spread out like a book.</p> + +<p>Nothing happened to disturb them. Once +Frank thought he heard a distant shout, and this +excited his curiosity not a little. According to +what Charley Moi said they were now in a +neighborhood where ordinary tourists never +visited.</p> + +<p>He thought of the two sheriffs and the lawless +men they were pursuing. Could it be possible +that they were destined to run across those +desperate characters sooner or later?</p> + +<p>The thought was a disquieting one. It served +to make Frank wakeful, and his restlessness was +communicated to Bob, although the latter did not +know what caused it.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> + +<p>But if the fugitives from justice were loitering +around in that particular part of the Grand +Canyon, either hiding from the determined +sheriffs, or looking for rich quarry, neither they +or anyone else disturbed the camp of the saddle +boys.</p> + +<p>Again, in the morning, Charley Moi lighted a +fire, and made ready to prepare a modest breakfast. +As Bob had said, their supplies were running +low, and unless something happened very +soon the Chinaman would have to be dispatched +to the nearest store to replenish the food.</p> + +<p>Still thinking of the sound he had heard during +the night, and which he believed must have +been a human voice, rather than the cry of some +wild animal, Frank, while they sat cross-legged +around the fire, eating the scanty meal, addressed +himself to the Chinaman.</p> + +<p>"How many times have you come up this far, +Charley Moi?" he asked.</p> + +<p>The other commenced to figure on his fingers. +Having no counting board, used so frequently by +his countrymen in laundries, until they get accustomed +to the habits of the white man, he took +this means of tabulating.</p> + +<p>"Allee fingers and this much over," and he +held up the first and second fingers of one hand.</p> + +<p>"Ten and two, making twelve in all," declared +Bob. "Well, you have served the man-with-the-bald-head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +faithfully and long, Charley."</p> + +<p>"And in all these times I suppose you've never +known anybody to be around here?" Frank went +on.</p> + +<p>Charley shook his head in the negative.</p> + +<p>"White man, no. Sometime Moqui come +'long, make for stlore down canlon get glub. +See same two, thlee times. Charley Moi see old +Moqui last night," the Chinaman replied.</p> + +<p>"What's that you say?" demanded Frank, +hastily. "That you saw a Moqui last night, +and after we had come to halt right here?"</p> + +<p>"Thatee so," grinned the other, as though +pleased to feel that he was able to interest Frank +so readily.</p> + +<p>"Just when did this happen, Charley Moi?" +pursued the other.</p> + +<p>"Flank, Blob, down by river, make muchee +look-look in glass," answered Charley.</p> + +<p>"Now, what d'ye think of that?" ejaculated +Bob, in disgust. "While we were away from +camp for ten minutes, something happened. Why +couldn't it have come about when we were on +deck? There's a fine chance lost to get track +of Havasupai; for I reckon you believe the same +as I do, Frank, and that the old Moqui whom +Charley saw was <i>our</i> Indian?"</p> + +<p>"Seems like it, Bob," replied the other, "but +don't cry yet. Perhaps it may not be too late to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +remedy matters. See here, Charley Moi, could +you show me just where you saw this Moqui +last?"</p> + +<p>The yellow-skinned guide smirked, and nodded +his head until his pigtail bobbed up and down like +a bell rope.</p> + +<p>"Easy do," he observed, beginning to get upon +his feet.</p> + +<p>"Come along Bob," remarked Frank. "We'd +all better be present. Three heads are better +than one when it comes to a question of deciding +what's to be done."</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can track him, Frank?" +questioned the Kentucky boy, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to try," was all Frank would say; +for he was very modest with regard to his accomplishments +as a son of the prairie.</p> + +<p>Charley Moi was as good as his word. He +seemed to remember just where he had happened +to spy the passing Indian when looking up from +the making of the fire. The Moqui had paid +no attention to him; indeed, at the time he was +creeping past as though taking advantage of the +absence of the two boys in order to make a +circuit of the camp near the big cliff.</p> + +<p>"Find 'em Frank?" asked Bob, after he had +seen his chum bending down over the ground for +half a minute.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they are the tracks of an Indian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +too, for they toe in," Frank replied. "Besides, +they are made by moccasins instead of shoes or +boots with heels. And if I needed any further +proof to tell me our friend Havasupai made +these tracks, and not a strange Moqui, I have +it in the queer patch across the toe of his right +moccasin, which I noticed when he was with us +before."</p> + +<p>"That's just fine!" Bob exclaimed, filled with +pride over the way in which his chum seemed +able to fix the facts so that they could not be +questioned. "And will you start after him right +away, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Watch me; that's all," came the reply, as +Frank began to move away, still bending low in +order to follow the faint traces of footprints on +the rock and scanty soil.</p> + +<p>The others came close at his heels, Bob with +a look of assurance on his face, because he felt +positive that the game would now be tracked to +its hiding place; and Charley Moi picturing his +wonder on his moon-like countenance.</p> + +<p>So the prairie lad led them in and out among +the rocks, and the scrub that grew close to the +verge of the river. Several times he seemed a +little in doubt, as the marks faded entirely away; +but on such occasions his common-sense came to +the rescue, and, after a look around, Frank was +able to once more find the trail.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> + +<p>"Here's where it ends!"</p> + +<p>When Frank made this remark Bob could not +keep from expressing his surprise.</p> + +<p>He gaped upward at the bare-faced wall that +arose for hundreds of feet, without any particular +ledge or outcropping where even a nimble Indian +could find safe lodgment for his moccasined +feet.</p> + +<p>"But, Frank, however could the old Moqui +get up there to see Uncle Felix?" he asked. +"D'ye suppose he made some sort of signal, and +the hermit lowered a long rope with a noose at +the end, which would draw him up? Wow! excuse +me from ever trying to fly in that way! It +would make me so dizzy I'd be sure to drop, and +get smashed."</p> + +<p>"You're beating on the wrong track, Bob," +remarked the other. "No rope could be lowered +all that distance; and even if it could no +one man would be able to pull another all the +way up."</p> + +<p>"But there must be some way of getting to +the place where the slits in the face of the cliff +tell of windows. However do you think he did +it, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Just because you don't happen to see a +ladder, Bob, is no evidence there isn't a way to +mount upward. One thing about this great cliff +I guess you didn't happen to notice. That shows<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> +you pass things by. Look again, and you'll see +that it seems to have been split by some volcanic +smash, ages ago. There's a regular crevice running +slantingly up the face of the rock. You see +it now, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I do; and I was blind not to take notice +of the same before," Bob replied. "Fact is, I +did see that uneven mark, but just thought it was +a fault in the make of the cliff, as a miner would +say."</p> + +<p>"Well, that crack extends four-fifths of the +way up to the top; and far enough to reach the +place where we noticed all those dark marks, +which we believed must be windows of the many +rooms or houses of the cliff dwellers. Get that, +Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I do, Frank, and after your explanation +I can see what you're aiming at. But where +does that ragged crevice start from down here, do +you think?"</p> + +<p>Frank stepped forward. Just as if he had it +all figured out, he bent down, and with his hand +drew aside the bushes that grew against the base +of the cliff.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare, there it is for a fact!" exclaimed +Bob, as he saw a rough opening before +him, which came almost together five feet from +the ground, leaving only a dark, uneven, slanting +line that crawled up the face of the cliff like the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +photograph of a zigzag bolt of lightning taken +with a snapshot camera.</p> + +<p>"There you are," said Frank, with a broad +smile. "Unless all signs fail, here's the entrance +to the mysterious Echo Cave. We have been +more than lucky to find it with so little trouble."</p> + +<p>"Just to think of it," remarked Bob, as he +bent over to look up into the gap as well as he +was able; "here's where the queer old Professor +has been hiding for all this time, and no one any +the wiser. But Frank, however in the wide world +do you suppose he found out the way to get up +there?"</p> + +<p>"We would have found it sooner or later, +even if Charley Moi had not seen the old Indian +moving along," replied Frank, with the confidence +of one who knows what he is talking about.</p> + +<p>"Y—yes, I reckon we would, after you'd +prowled around a little, and had some chance to +look the ground over. Then you believe he must +have found the presence of those windows looking +out of the cliff just like we did; by using a +powerful glass? And, thinking that here was the +very place for him to hide and study, he set about +looking for the road up, and found it, very +likely."</p> + +<p>"He did it by using common sense, and applying +all he knew about the ways of these people of +the long ago," replied Frank. "And you can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> +see that if he chose, he could have thrown that +bottle out of one of the openings up there, so +that it would drop in the passing current of the +Colorado, to be carried down-stream until somebody +saw it; and finding the message to my +father, sent or carried it to Circle Ranch."</p> + +<p>"Well," observed Bob, with a gleam in his +eye, "now that we've found a way to get up to +Echo Cave, have we the nerve to start in?"<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> + +<h3>FORTUNE STILL FAVORS THE BRAVE</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>Instead of replying at once to this question, +as Bob undoubtedly thought his chum would do, +Frank seemed to give a start. He dropped to his +hands and knees, and seemed to be examining +some marks on the ground.</p> + +<p>If ever the fair knowledge of reading tracks +which Frank possessed was called upon to do +duty, it was now. Bob, of course, could not understand +what possessed his comrade; but simply +stood there and stared, wondering what Frank +had found to cause him to exhibit such breathless +interest, and all the signs of unusual excitement.</p> + +<p>When finally the lad on his knees did look +up, Bob saw a grave expression on his face.</p> + +<p>"There's something wrong, Frank; tell me +what it is?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>"I've made an unpleasant discovery, Bob," replied +the other. "Charley!" he added turning +to the wondering Celestial, "go back to our +camp, and bring our guns right away, both of +them, see?"</p> + +<p>"Yep, bloss, me unelstand. Charley Moi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +gettee gluns light away quick!" and as he said +this the obliging Chinaman went on a run, his +pigtail and blue blouse flying out behind him.</p> + +<p>"Say, whatever does all this mystery mean, +Frank?" asked Bob, almost helplessly.</p> + +<p>"Just what you might imagine; that there's +danger hanging about us, Bob."</p> + +<p>The eyes of the astonished Bob sought the +ground at the point where his chum had been so +deeply interested.</p> + +<p>"Then it must be something you just discovered +there, and that's a fact," he declared; +"because you didn't act this way three minutes +ago."</p> + +<p>"I happened to discover footprints coming +from another quarter," Frank went on, calmly; +"and they headed into this crevice, just as those +of the moccasined Moqui did from that side. +And they came after old Havasupai had gone +up, for I found where they wiped out a part of +one of his tracks."</p> + +<p>"Footprints, and were they made by the old +professor, do you think?" asked Bob.</p> + +<p>"Not any. Fact is," observed Frank, as +though deciding to have the worst over, "they +were the tracks of three persons, all men!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! my! three, you said, Frank; and that +would mean Eugene, Spanish Joe, and Abajo, +wouldn't it?"</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> + +<p>"Just the very ones I meant," replied Frank.</p> + +<p>"Then they must have been hiding some place +near here, and saw the Moqui pass in?" suggested +Bob, fully aroused by now.</p> + +<p>"That seems to be what happened," Frank +observed. "But here comes Charley Moi with +the guns. See how he dodges about, so as to +keep hidden from the view of anybody up in +those windows above, which we can't glimpse +from here."</p> + +<p>When Bob eagerly took his repeating rifle +from the hands of the Chinaman he exhibited all +the evidence of great satisfaction; for he heaved +a sigh of relief, and fondled his weapon in a way +that caused his comrade to smile.</p> + +<p>"I feel better now," Bob confessed; "because, +to tell the honest truth, when you broke the news +so suddenly it nearly gave me heart failure, +Frank, to think that if those rascals sprang out +at us we would be next door to helpless. Now +let 'em be careful how they play their little game. +But what does it all mean, do you suppose, +Frank?"</p> + +<p>"I can only make a guess, and that may be wide +of the truth," the other admitted. "By some accident +they managed to get on the track of the +Moqui. Though Havasupai thought himself +smart, he was no match for such a cunning rascal +as Spanish Joe, who is said to be the best trailer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +along the Arizona border. And they followed +him right here."</p> + +<p>"That was last evening, just when you and I +stood there down by the river, looking through +the glasses up at the windows of the rock houses +above," remarked Bob.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Perhaps they didn't go up right then." +Frank went on. "I admit that I can't just make +out how long ago these tracks were made. A +better trailer might, you see, Bob. If Old Hank +Coombs were only here now I'd be glad to turn +the whole business over to him, and play second +fiddle."</p> + +<p>"But some time between dark and morning +these three rascals went in here, and surprised +the hermit of Echo Cave—is that it, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"It covers the case all right," came the reply.</p> + +<p>"Say, do you think they are up there yet?" +asked the Kentucky lad, in an anxious tone.</p> + +<p>"I think they must be, Bob, because all the +tracks point one way, showing that the three +men never came back. If they left the cave it +must have been by some other way."</p> + +<p>"No use asking why they would want to get in +touch with Uncle Felix!" continued Bob, as if +bent on finding out everything he could in connection +with the case.</p> + +<p>"We know what their reason was," Frank +made answer. "When Abajo, hanging about the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +window of our ranch house, heard what we had +to say about the message that came floating down +the Colorado in that bottle, and carried the +wonderful news to his employer, Eugene Warringford, +he set the game going that must end +right here. He has come with the intention of +making Professor Oswald turn over that option +to him; and he'll do it unless something we can +offer prevents."</p> + +<p>"But Frank, if the Moqui carried that note +of yours to Uncle Felix, he would be on his guard, +and absolutely refuse to sign away the papers?"</p> + +<p>"I hope he will, but I fear that those three +scamps are up there right now, trying to coax or +bulldoze him into signing," Frank said, with a +tightening of his lips, and a flash of his clear +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Then we go up, and put a spoke in their +wheel, do we?" asked Bob, looking as if he +were ready to make the start instantly, if his +comrade but gave the word.</p> + +<p>Frank glanced around him a little uncertainly.</p> + +<p>"I've got a good notion to try it," he muttered +as if talking to himself.</p> + +<p>"What's that you say, Frank?" asked his +companion, who had caught the words, and did +not know what to make of them.</p> + +<p>"I didn't tell you, Bob," Frank remarked; +"but during the night I thought I heard a voice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +calling far away yonder. And somehow it struck +me at the time that there was a familiar cowboy +yell about it."</p> + +<p>"Old Hank Coombs, perhaps, Frank?" suggested +the other lad, quickly.</p> + +<p>"That was on my mind, Bob. You know history +often repeats itself. Once before, just when +we seemed to need Hank the worst way, he came +riding along as if he had heard us call. And +I was wondering whether he might not be somewhere +around here right now."</p> + +<p>"That would be just prime, if only we could +get in touch with him," Bob declared. "And, +as your father wouldn't send Hank alone, there'd +be one more cowboy along. That would make +a party of four. Why, those three rascals would +just shrivel, and throw up the sponge, if they saw +us break in on 'em. But Frank, how about making +the old range call?"</p> + +<p>"D'ye know, I was just thinking it might do +to try it," remarked the other.</p> + +<p>"Then start in and give the whoop," Bob observed. +"No harm done anyhow; even if they +hear it up there. And while you're doing all +that, I'll just drop on one knee here, and cover +the crack in the wall. Suppose one of the lot +should try and come out while we were off our +guard. I'll make him surrender quicker than he +can say 'Jack Robinson'!"</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> + +<p>Presently there sounded upon the morning air +the clear "cooee" of the range, particularly well +known to every cowboy who had worked at +Circle Ranch. Frank and Bob listened eagerly to +learn whether there would come any response. +If not, then they must take up the task of climbing +that singular crevice by themselves; and finding +out how affairs stood above.</p> + +<p>Their suspense was short-lived, for quickly +there floated to their waiting ears a responsive +call. Turning toward the quarter from whence +it seemed to come they saw a hat waving.</p> + +<p>"It's Old Hank, sure it is!" exclaimed Bob, +with a thrill of delight; for the burden of going +up against three desperate characters was more +than boy nature could stand without more or +less uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"That's Chesty with him," announced Frank, +as two figures were discovered coming toward +them. "Why, if we'd made all the arrangements +ourselves we couldn't have done better, +Bob. Here comes our reinforcements just in the +nick of time. And if Eugene and his backers are +still up yonder in the cliff dwellers' homes, +they have stayed a little while too long, that's +all."</p> + +<p>In another three minutes the boys were shaking +hands with Old Hank and Chesty; the latter +with a cheerful grin on his face, as though he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +considered it quite a joke to break in on Frank's +game at the finishing point.</p> + +<p>Of course they were ignorant as to how +matters stood. And Frank took upon himself +the task of explaining all that had happened.</p> + +<p>"Ther up yonder yet, then," announced Hank, +after he had carefully inspected the footprints, +and noted that they all pointed one way; "that +is to say, if they ain't got an airyplane along as +would allow of them flying off. An' Frank, +when ye sez the word we'uns are goin' t' walk up +this rock ladder t' see what sorter place the ole +perfessor keeps."</p> + +<p>"Then I say it now," declared Frank, anxious +to have the thing settled one way or the other +without further delay.</p> + +<p>"Foller arter me, all of ye!" called the old +plainsman, as he plunged into the gap.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> + +<h3>ANOTHER SURPRISE</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"One thing, we won't need torches this time, +Hank!" remarked Bob as he prepared to follow +after the leader.</p> + +<p>"I reckons not, Bobby," chuckled the veteran +cowman, who knew that something about the +situation must have recalled their entering that +cave that day where sly old Sallie and her half-grown +whelps awaited their coming with bared +teeth.</p> + +<p>Just back of Hank came Chesty, who was a +very ambitious young fellow, and always to be +counted on with regard to obtaining his proper +share in every little excitement that happened. +Then Frank filed along; and at his heels Bob +climbed; while Charley Moi brought up the rear, +bent on seeing all that might come to pass.</p> + +<p>The crevice immediately began to mount upward, +just as Frank had anticipated it would. +There were times when the climbing was pretty +steep, and Frank began to wonder what sort of +agile man this old and stubborn Professor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +Oswald could be, to overcome such difficulties so +often, while in the pursuit of his hobby.</p> + +<p>Bob was soon panting, but no less bent on +"keeping up with the procession," as he himself +put it. They had been going back from the face +of the cliff pretty much all the time, so that there +was really no chance to take an observation, in +order to tell just how far up they had come.</p> + +<p>Frank felt sure, however, after this labor had +kept up for quite a long time, that they must now +be getting near the top of the break, or where +the crooked crack in the face of the rock ended.</p> + +<p>He tried to picture what they would find. If +Eugene and his reckless backers had been in possession +of the place for some hours now, they +must have tried all sorts of expedients in order +to compel the professor to reveal the secret hiding +place of the valuable document, and make +it over to them. Nor would such heartless men +hesitate long about adopting torture in order +to force a confession from the unwilling victim.</p> + +<p>Then Frank wondered if the three rascals +would attempt any tactics looking to holding the +attacking force at bay. They were well armed, +no doubt, and having such a rich treasure hanging +in the scales, it might be expected that they +would hate to let it slip from their covetous +grasp without putting up some sort of fight.</p> + +<p>But all that could be left to Old Hank. For<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +many years he had been the leading figure in all +the affairs that centered around Circle Ranch. +Did the rustlers run off part of the herd, the +veteran was put in charge of the pursuing force. +Sometimes the sly marauders got off scot free; +but more often they paid dearly for their audacity +in picking out Colonel Haywood's ranch as the +scene of their foray.</p> + +<p>Frank really had no fears as to the result, now +that Hank had arrived on the scene to direct +operations. The three schemers might give them +some trouble, but they could not carry the day.</p> + +<p>"Please let a fellow rest up a little, Hank!" +came from Bob, finally.</p> + +<p>The old cow puncher understood that the pace +had been too warm for the tenderfoot; and he +considerately halted. Perhaps none of the +climbers were averse to a breathing spell before +the final round. It would put them in better condition +for the wind-up, whatever that might prove +to be.</p> + +<p>"Frank," whispered Bob, as he pulled at the +trouser leg of his chum so as to induce him to +bend down closer.</p> + +<p>"What's the row?" asked the other, in somewhat +the same guarded tone, as he managed to +double over, and bring his face close to that of +his friend.</p> + +<p>"Charley Moi has just told me something,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +Bob went on. "You know we found out before +now that he's got the greatest pair of ears ever +for hearing things? Well, he says there's something +or some one following us up this old +crack!"</p> + +<p>"Whew! that's nice, now. A regular procession, +it seems," remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>"Who d'ye think it can be; and would a bear +or a mountain lion pick up our tracks this way?" +continued Bob, who was trying to work his rifle +around, so as to cover the rear.</p> + +<p>"Wait! Let's all listen, after I send the word +along to Hank and Chesty," remarked Frank.</p> + +<p>When this had been done even the old cowman +thought well enough of the idea to wait until they +could find out the nature of the sounds that had +reached the keen hearing of the wide-awake +Chinaman.</p> + +<p>It was only half light in the break of the rock, +and the passage they had been following thus far +was so very crooked that no one could see more +than twenty feet down the trail.</p> + +<p>Still every eye was fastened on that point +where the advancing man or animal would first +appear. Frank, too, had his rifle bearing on the +spot; and taken as a whole the appearance of +the little company, flattened out against the break +in the mighty rock wall, was rather threatening.</p> + +<p>All of them could catch the sounds below now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +Whoever came up the rock ladder must be unused +to negotiating such a stairway, for they +rattled small bits of loose shale down at times; +and Frank felt sure he could hear a panting +sound, very much like that which tired Bob had +been making a minute ago.</p> + +<p>And, as he listened, Frank made a discovery +that caused him to tighten his grip on that reliable +repeating rifle. There were two of the pursuers! +And he anticipated that the leader must come in +sight ere another dozen seconds passed!</p> + +<p>There was some sort of movement now, down +in the region of the little twist where the steep +stairway of the old cliff dwellers made a turn. +Then a head and shoulders came into view.</p> + +<p>Frank chuckled aloud. Just in almost that last +second of time he had suddenly guessed the +truth, when, in this clinging figure that was staring +upward, as though filled with genuine surprise, +he recognized an old friend.</p> + +<p>It was Mr. Stanwix, the sheriff of the county!</p> + +<p>He and his mate from the adjoining division +of Coconino must have just had a glimpse of +Charley Moi disappearing in the dark hole at the +base of the cliff; and, being in pursuit of two +shrewd law breakers, who had been known to +appear in other dress than that of cowmen, perhaps +the officers had concluded that here was +something that ought to be investigated.</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> + +<p>Frank immediately made a friendly gesture +with one hand. He did not want to risk the +chances of being fired upon by the officers of +the law, who might take the little party for bad +men. Then he beckoned in a fashion that the +sheriff must readily understand to mean caution, +and silence.</p> + +<p>They saw Mr. Stanwix bend down as though +he might be explaining to his fellow officer what +an astonishing thing had happened. After that +he came on, climbing the steep rock ladder as an +exhausted person might. Yet his nature was like +that of the bulldog; and once he had started to +do a thing, nothing could make him stop.</p> + +<p>When he arrived at a point where he could +make his way alongside Frank, squeezing past +Charley Moi and Bob, the sheriff of Yavapai +County turned an inquiring look upon his young +friend.</p> + +<p>Whereupon Frank started in to tell him just +who the other three in the party happened to be; +and that they were bent upon foiling the lawless +game of three rascals plotting for a big stake.</p> + +<p>In return Mr. Stanwix intimated that they had +suspected something wrong when they saw from +a little distance two persons, and one of them a +Chinaman, disappearing in a cleft of the rocks. +Further explanations must await a better opportunity, +however. They were now too near the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +series of chambers connecting with one another to +hesitate longer.</p> + +<p>Besides, who could say what might not be going +on up there a little further, in those holes in +the wall where, ages ago, the singular people +whom Professor Oswald loved to study about, +had their homes, and lived on from year to +year?</p> + +<p>Old Hank, when he once more started upward, +seemed to have become much more cautious. +Frank could easily guess the reason. There was +a strong possibility that the three schemers might +have learned of their presence in the vicinity ere +now. And of course Eugene knew full well why +Frank and Bob had come to the Grand Canyon +from their ranch home.</p> + +<p>Suspecting that sooner or later the two boys +might discover the way up to the cliff house, +they would be apt to lay a trap of some sort, +thinking to catch them napping when they ascended.</p> + +<p>Old Hank could not be taken unawares any +easier than might the wary weasel that has never +been seen asleep by mortal eyes.</p> + +<p>Frank, keeping well up by the heels of the +little cowboy's boots, was ready to draw himself +upward at the first sign of trouble. He knew +when Hank had reached the top of the singular +stairway fashioned by Nature for the benefit of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +those who built their habitations near the top of +the cliff, far beyond the reach of enemies in the +valley below.</p> + +<p>A few seconds of suspense followed, while +Chesty was following the veteran into the first +hollowed-out apartment. Nothing followed +where Frank had been expecting all manner of +evil things.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they're asleep," was the new thought +that flashed through his brain. He did not know +what manner of man Uncle Felix was.</p> + +<p>Now they were all gathered there in that outer +chamber that might be called an ante-room of the +various apartments running along the face of the +cliff for some distance.</p> + +<p>Even Charley Moi was there, full of curiosity, +and willing to lend a hand after a fashion. Bob +looked around; just as his chum had done as soon +as he entered. He saw that some one had certainly +been there recently. There were plenty of +evidences to that effect.</p> + +<p>Old Hank raised his hand with the forefinger +elevated. It was recognized as a signal for absolute +silence by all the others. Even Bob restrained +his desire to ask questions; and every +one listened, as if expecting to catch sounds.</p> + +<p>Was that a human voice?</p> + +<p>Frank started a trifle as the idea came to him. +Still, it might only have been an additionally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +strong movement of the breeze; turning some +angle that caused it to give forth a sound.</p> + +<p>He turned to see if any of the others had +heard, and judged from the way old Hank had +his head raised that he, too, had caught the sound; +also that it appealed to him as full of significance.</p> + +<p>Again the veteran waved his hand. This time +it meant not only caution, but an invitation to advance. +Hank was about to pass into the next +apartment, and wished the others to keep close at +his heels.</p> + +<p>Bob was quivering all over with the fever of +suspense, as well as pent-up eagerness. He did +not know just how much longer he could hold in; +for he wanted to yell. Still, he did not do it. +Since coming to this wonderland country of the +Southwest he had learned many lessons in the +way of self control; and every day he was gaining +more and more of a mastery over himself.</p> + +<p>Now Hank was in the second room, and still +heading onward toward another hole in the wall, +evidently the only means of communication between +the various houses forming the little community.</p> + +<p>When he reached this, voices were plainly +heard beyond. Hank kept right on, heading for +yet a third doorway; and whoever was doing the +talking, he or they must be in that further apartment; +so that in another minute Frank expected +to have his curiosity fully satisfied.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> + +<h3>THE LITTLE OLD MAN OF ECHO CAVE</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"You admit you have carried the document +with you, and that it's only a question of refusing +to produce it, Professor?"</p> + +<p>Frank recognized that drawling voice. He +had heard his father's cousin, Eugene Warringford, +speak many times, and generally in this +slow way. But Frank also knew that back of his +apparently careless manner there was more or +less venom. Eugene could hate, and hide his feelings +in a masterly manner. He could smile, and +then strike behind the back of the one with whom +he was dealing. And somehow his very drawling +voice always made Frank quiver with instinctive +dislike.</p> + +<p>"I admit nothing, sir," came another voice, +quick and nervous, yet with a firmness that told +of considerable spirit. "You come upon me in +my retreat without an invitation, and at first +claim to be a warm admirer of my work, which +you seem to have studied fairly well. But now +you are taking the mask off, sir; and I can +recognize the wolf under the sheep's clothing."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> + +<p>Frank had heard that the old scientist, though +a small man, was full of grit; and he could well +believe it after hearing him speak.</p> + +<p>And Bob, who crouched close at the side of his +chum, gave Frank a nudge as if to say: "What +do you think of that for nerve; isn't he the limit, +though?"</p> + +<p>Eugene laughed in his lazy way at being accused +of evil intentions. Apparently he had +about made up his mind that there was no use in +longer beating about the bush. He had the old +gentleman cooped up in this isolated place, where +no assistance could possibly reach him. And +backed up himself by a couple of reckless rascals, +no doubt Eugene considered himself in a position +to demand obedience.</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear old gentleman," he remarked, +and by the sound Frank imagined the fellow must +be lighting a fresh cigarette, for he seemed to +puff between the words; "just as you say, what's +the use of carrying the joke on any longer. Let's +be brutally frank with each other from now on."</p> + +<p>"Very well," replied the other, quickly. +"Here's the situation then, in a nutshell. You +suddenly appear before me, with a couple of +men you claim are guides, but whom I have every +reason to believe are low minions who are simply +in your pay."</p> + +<p>"Careful, Professor," Eugene broke in. "I'd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +advise you to go a bit slow. These men talk +English, if they do look like Mexicans; and they +may resent being called rascals."</p> + +<p>"Let that pass," continued the hermit of Echo +Cave, as though waving the matter aside contemptuously. +"At any rate, you come suddenly +into my habitation here, where I have spent many +happy months in solitude, wrapped up in my +studies of the people of the cliffs, who spent their +lives in this very place, and who have left many +traces of their customs behind. My work is almost +finished, and in another week I expected +leaving here for civilization, with a masterly book +on the subject that has mystified the world for a +century."</p> + +<p>"Come to the point, Professor," broke in the +man with the drawl; "and keep all this about +your studies for those of your kind, who may +appreciate them. We are concerned only about +one thing; and that is a certain paper which +you will presently take from its hiding-place, sign +over to me, and then finish your labors here in +peace. Understand that?"</p> + +<p>"By good luck I was forewarned," the sharp +voice went on; "and hence I made sure not to +carry that document on my person. You have +taken the liberty of searching every inch of these +cliff houses since you arrived here, but without +success. And allow me to inform you, sir, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +you might hunt until the day of doom without the +slightest chance of finding that paper. It will +never be yours!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I am not worrying in the least, Professor," +Eugene remarked, coolly. "You will +see a great light presently, I imagine."</p> + +<p>"I have already done so, sir," came the snappy +reply. "I am awakening to the fact that too long +have I been neglecting my daughter; and that +since this investment of mine has turned out so +happily, it must become her property."</p> + +<p>"Very nice and thoughtful of you, Professor," +sneered Eugene; "and while I dislike to spoil +such delightful plans, I fear I must do so. It is +my nature to persist in anything I undertake. And +I have made up my mind to possess that document; +or make you pay dearly for my disappointment."</p> + +<p>"Now you begin to descend to low threats, +sir," cried the scientist, who did not seem to be +a particle afraid; which proved the truth of the +old saying that courage does not necessarily need +a big tenement.</p> + +<p>"We have hunted high and low through this +series of ratholes, and without any success," observed +Eugene, beginning to bite off his words, +as though unable to much longer keep up the pretense +of being calm. "What have you done with +that old Moqui who came up here ahead of us?"</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> + +<p>"Ah! you saw him enter the hidden stairway, +then, and that was how you learned the way to +reach these cliff dwellings?" exclaimed the other, +as though one thing that had bothered him was +now explained.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that was how it came about," answered +Eugene. "We have followed him like his own +shadow for days, and yet he knew it not. Age +must have dimmed the sight and hearing of the +warrior. After we saw him pass upward, on investigating, +we found the stone ladder in the +crevice, and we waited several hours for him to +come down, for we wanted to make sure of him +first. As he did not appear, we finally could +stand it no longer, and began to creep up here, +inches at a time. Then we surprised you, and +announced our intention of stopping with you."</p> + +<p>"Yes," declared the scientist, bitterly. "First +you pretended that you were sent out by a magazine +to search for me, and get some points as to +my great work here among the Zunis, the Hopis +and the Moquis. But I soon discovered that you +had another motive in trying to find Professor +Oswald. You began to hint about your desire +to possess stock in certain mines, and especially +in one, the ownership of which I had carried in +my hand for some years. Besides, I had been +warned of your real intentions, and was on my +guard."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> + +<p>"What became of that old Moqui Indian?" +went on Eugene. "He climbed up, but he did +not come down. We guarded that stairway closely +every minute of the time. We have searched +every room in this rabbit burrow that we could +discover; but still he does not show up. Have +you put him away in some place, the entrance to +which is hidden from our eyes?"</p> + +<p>The only reply to this question was a scornful +laugh. As Bob would say, it was as if the defiant +little professor had flashed out.</p> + +<p>"Don't you wish you knew?"</p> + +<p>"Well, as the document and the Moqui have +both vanished mysteriously, there's only one thing +I can conclude," went on Eugene, between his +teeth; "and that is they must be together at this +very moment. Produce the one, and the other +will be found not far away."</p> + +<p>"What a wise man you are, sir!" remarked +the little scientist, with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I may prove a more successful one +than you imagine," returned Eugene, between +furious puffs. "Now, all the time I have been +turning this old lot of rabbit burrows upside down +I've been thinking a whole lot, Professor."</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" exclaimed the other clapping his +hands vigorously; "it will certainly do you a +great amount of good, sir, for I imagine you +seldom treat yourself to such a luxury as a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +hard think. And may I inquire concerning the +result of your labors in that line?"</p> + +<p>"First of all, I sized you up as a mighty stubborn +little bit of humanity."</p> + +<p>"Oh! thank you, sir. Really, I am disposed +to accept that as a compliment; for you see, a +man of my profession could never succeed unless +he had mastered his inclination for an easy life, +and had become a stoic. And what else did you +happen to decide after this wonderful fit of thinking, +may I ask, sir?"</p> + +<p>"This: I made up my mind that once you declined +to produce that document, to secure which +I have come a great distance, and undergone considerable +fatigue, that no threat of bodily harm +would induce you to alter your decision!"</p> + +<p>"It is really very interesting to hear you say +this, sir," remarked the one who had lived in +that lofty cave for many months, poring over the +queer things that he unearthed from time to time +in the ruins of the cliff dwellers' homes. "And +after reaching such a conclusion as that, how +comes it you persisted in trying to carry out your +original intention?"</p> + +<p>"Because I had another arrow in my quiver, +Professor!" remarked Eugene, in a penetrating +voice, that had a ring of anticipated triumph in +it.</p> + +<p>"H'm! torture, perhaps?" suggested the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +other; "but my dear sir, nothing of that nature +could make me open my lips. I would die rather +than submit to your proposals."</p> + +<p>"But wait a bit, my old friend," chuckled +Eugene; "there are two kinds of torture, that of +the body, and of the mind!"</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are right, sir," the little scientist +remarked; "but honestly, now, I fail to understand +the drift of your remarks."</p> + +<p>"Then it shall be my pleasure to enlighten +you, Professor," Eugene continued. "Pay attention +to me now, and you will quickly have the +cataract removed from your eyes. Is there anything +in the world that you value above that +document which you know by this time has suddenly +increased in value many times over?"</p> + +<p>"I can think of but one thing—my daughter +Janice!" replied the other, quickly. "And she +is far beyond your reach in the East."</p> + +<p>"Ah yes, quite true, Professor," the schemer +went on; "more's the pity. But I think you make +a mistake when you say that your daughter is +the only thing on earth you value above the million +that has suddenly dropped at your feet. +How about this, Professor?"</p> + +<p>He evidently held something up, for the other +immediately uttered a startled cry.</p> + +<p>"The manuscript of my forthcoming book on +the mysteries of the cliff dwellers of the Grand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +Canyon! The hard work of three long years of +exile! A labor of love that I expected will place +my name among the front ranks of scientists!"</p> + +<p>"Exactly!" sneered Eugene. "Just keep +back, Professor, please. My men are not in any +too pleasant a mood, and I would not answer for +what they might do to you if you made the first +effort to snatch this thing from my hands. Sit +down again, and let us reason together."</p> + +<p>"You wretch! Now I begin to see your game. +You would threaten to destroy all my precious +work of years, in order to obtain a miserable +paper."</p> + +<p>At that Eugene laughed loudly.</p> + +<p>"It may be all you say, Professor," he remarked; +"but it represents a snug little fortune +that I'd like to possess. The future would be +mighty pleasant, once I made that fine hit. And +if it appears like so much trash in your eyes, my +dear man, there should no longer be any hesitation +about giving it up to me. Think of the work +you have done. It couldn't be replaced, Professor, +I imagine? If now I should deliberately take +a match out of my pocket like this, strike the same, +and apply the busy little flame to these papers, the +history of the Zunis, the Hopis, the Moquis, and +their ancestors the cliff dwellers, would be forever +lost to the world, wouldn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Stop, you wretch!" cried the excited hermit,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +who was apparently greatly alarmed at seeing his +precious manuscript in peril.</p> + +<p>"Ah! do you then consent to open your mouth, +and tell what I want to know?" demanded his +tormentor.</p> + +<p>"Is there no other way out?" asked the +prisoner of the cave, hopelessly.</p> + +<p>"None," replied Eugene, harshly. "My men +are watching for the Moqui to show up every +second, and with orders to shoot him on sight. +So don't indulge in any hope that he can save +you. There, the match has burned itself out; +but remember, Professor, there are others, plenty +of them, where that came from. I will give you +one minute to produce that paper."</p> + +<p>The scientist uttered a sigh that was plainly +heard.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must yield to fate then," he said, +dismally. "But you promise to return my papers +to me after I have complied with your outrageous +demands?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure I will, and only too gladly," replied +the other, eagerly. "I don't want to make +the terms too hard on you, old man. Only you +must choose now between losing either the +fortune, or your work of years. And perhaps +we'd find the document after all, too. Speak +up; where is it?"</p> + +<p>"Examine that rock stool on which you are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> +seated, and you will find that it can be moved," +the voice of the hermit went on, steadily. "There, +now that you have over-turned the seat, you discover +something in the cavity. Keep your word, +and place in my hands my precious packet of +manuscript. Threats of taking my life might not +move me; but when you place in peril that on +which my reputation as a scientist must be based, +it is too much. Thank you, sir; I see you are a +man of your word. And I will sign the papers +just as you may wish to have done."<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2 class="space"><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a></h2> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> + +<h3>TURNING THE TABLES—CONCLUSION</h3> + +<br /> + +<p>"Come on in, boys!"</p> + +<p>Old Hank Coombs had stood all the while this +intensely interesting dialogue was going on, as +though glued to the spot. Indeed, not one of the +party in the adjoining apartment of the cliff dwellers' +cave but who had kept drinking in the conversation +as though it fairly fascinated them.</p> + +<p>But when the old cow puncher realized that to +all appearances the outrageous scheme of Eugene +had worked only too well, and that the precious +document was even then in the hands of the +smooth-tongued plotter, he suddenly awoke to +the fact that perhaps they had waited a little too +long.</p> + +<p>Through the opening that served as a doorway +between the apartments he jumped, followed +immediately by Chesty, the two sheriffs, and finally +the saddle boys, with Charley Moi bringing up +the rear.</p> + +<p>Of course their unexpected coming created +quite a breeze among those whom they thus surprised.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +The little man who wore the goggles +seemed delighted, and immediately started to +place himself, and his precious manuscript, in a +position where he might be covered by these +welcome allies.</p> + +<p>Spanish Joe and Abajo had started to draw +their weapons; but when they discovered that they +had already been covered, and recognized several +among the newcomers as old companions on +Circle Ranch, they promptly elevated their hands.</p> + +<p>Eugene looked just as ugly as he felt. The +prize had apparently been about to fall into his +hands, like a ripe apple, when this change of front +had to occur.</p> + +<p>He kept his wits about him, however, and like +the shrewd fox that he was, played the game to +the limit for his own safety.</p> + +<p>"Keep your friends back, Professor Oswald!" +he shouted, as he managed to interpose what +looked like a stone table between himself and +the two sheriffs, who had their hungry eyes on +him. "See here, unless you promise on your +word of honor not to proceed against me for this +little game that didn't work, I'll tear this paper +that's worth a million into little bits, no matter +what happens to me afterwards! Do you hear, +Professor?"</p> + +<p>Frank caught his breath. After all the hard +work which he and Bob had put in to save that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +precious document for Janice, was it to be lost?</p> + +<p>He wanted to fly at the man, and snatch it +from his hands; but did not dare; for only too +well did he know that at the first hostile move +Eugene would proceed to put his threat into execution.</p> + +<p>To his intense surprise the little man with the +big glasses seemed to be shaking as with a convulsion +of laughter. It did not seem as though +he worried about the fate of the document +Eugene held so rigidly, while awaiting an answer +to his demand.</p> + +<p>"Do just as you please about that, my friend," +chuckled the scientist. "If it would afford you +any enjoyment to destroy the paper you are holding, +I wouldn't cheat you out of it for the world."</p> + +<p>"But—" stammered the defeated plotter, "it +would render void all your right to taking possession +of the San Bernardino mine, if this document +were destroyed!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! dear no, not at all," exclaimed the other, +cheerily. "The fact is, that paper is even now on +the way to the nearest post office, addressed to +my friend and relative, Colonel Haywood, and is +to go by registered mail."</p> + +<p>"That Moqui Indian—" gasped Eugene, falling +back helplessly.</p> + +<p>"Exactly, he carries the packet, with orders to +let nothing divert him from his one purpose," observed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +the scientist; while Bob nudged his chum +in the side, unable to restrain his delight over the +wonderful outcome of the knotty problem.</p> + +<p>"How did he get out of here?" asked Eugene. +"We watched the stone stairway every minute of +the time, and he didn't go down that way."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, in my prowling around here, month +after month," explained the hermit, "I managed +to find a way the old cliff dwellers had for reaching +the summit of the rocks, in case of necessity. +The Moqui possessed the nerve required to crawl +along the face of the cliff on a narrow ledge, and +make the exit. He is miles away by now, and my +daughter's inheritance is safe!"</p> + +<p>"But—this paper here," asked Eugene, faintly; +yet with curiosity governing his actions; +"it seems to be a legal document, transferring +a majority of the shares of the San Bernardino +mine over to you if the further conditions are fulfilled +within a certain time?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure," laughed the other, "that was +the first copy, you might say. There was some +little defect about it, which we discovered after it +was signed; so a second copy was made. If you +had examined that one closer you would have +found that the stamp necessary to make it legal +was lacking. Somehow I happened to keep both +copies, never dreaming how valuable this bogus +one might prove."</p> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> + +<p>Eugene threw the paper angrily to the floor.</p> + +<p>"I'm done!" he cried, shaking his head. +"Come on, Mr. Stanwix, if you are after me, and +put the irons on; though I don't think you've got +any show of convicting me of any unlawful game. +I claim to have come here to interview this famous +old gentleman about the wonderful discoveries +he has made connected with these people of +the cliffs. I expected to make a big sum in selling +the article to a magazine. Perhaps you might +give me more or less trouble if you cared; but +then it's another thing to show proof. And the +professor wouldn't like to stay out here long +months, waiting for the case to come on."</p> + +<p>"That's where you're right, my tall friend," +chirped the little scientist; "and as my work is +almost finished I do not mean to let anything detain +me from getting my book in the hands of the +printers."</p> + +<p>"Hear that, Mr. Stanwix; he says we're going +to get off easy, and you might as well wish us +good day right now?" exclaimed Eugene, nodding +to the Yavapai sheriff, whom he appeared +to know.</p> + +<p>"Well, there's no hurry," remarked that +official, pleasantly. "On the whole, my opinion is +that it would be good policy to keep you locked +up until we know that the document has reached +the hands of the one to whom it was sent, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +who is, I believe, the father of our friend, Frank, +here."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you, Mr. Sheriff!" declared the +old hermit of the cave. "Because if he were set +free I fear he would chase after the United States +mail, if a single hope remained of stealing my +property. Yes, kindly keep him by you until I +come around with news."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the two cow punchers, who +had stood moodily by, listening to all that was +being said.</p> + +<p>"I have no use for either of you men," he remarked, +shaking a finger at them; "so the sooner +you get down out of this place, the better. And +while I continue to remain here a few days, I'm +going to ask these brave lads to keep me company +as a guard of honor. I've many things to show +that may interest them. And I want to accompany +Frank to his home a little later, if possible."</p> + +<p>And so it was arranged. Old Hank and Chesty +declared that their orders had been to stay as long +as Frank and Bob did; so they also took up their +quarters in the apartments that went to make up +what the little old gentleman had called Echo +Cave.</p> + +<p>The two sheriffs took their prisoner away, to +place him in some secure nook while they continued +their search for the pair of scoundrels<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +whom they had hunted so long, and were determined +to get this time.</p> + +<p>As they will not be seen again in this story it +may only be right to say that Frank afterwards +read an account in a paper of how the sheriffs +finally rounded up the Arizona Kid and Big Bill +Guffey, arresting them after a warm resistance +in which all of the participants were wounded. +And in due time doubtless the bad men who had +so long defied the law, paid the penalty for their +various crimes.</p> + +<p>The saddle boys certainly did enjoy the few +days they spent with the queer little hermit, while +he completed his odd business in the rock dwellings +of the ancient cliff men.</p> + +<p>They found the echo which had caused him to +give the place its name, and spent many an hour +amusing themselves with its astonishing power +to send back sounds.</p> + +<p>Finally Havasupai made his appearance, bearing +with him a receipt, which proved that the precious +packet had been sent by registered mail to +Circle Ranch.</p> + +<p>And then the professor announced himself as +ready to take his departure from the scene of his +two years' labors as a hermit, working in the interests +of science.</p> + +<p>"It's a wonderful old place," Bob declared as +they took their last look at the Grand Canyon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> +from the bluff in front of the hotel, ere mounting +their horses and starting back home across +the many miles that lay to the south and east +before Circle Ranch might be reached.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we'll never forget what we've seen +here," added Frank.</p> + +<p>"Not to speak of the adventures that have +come our way," remarked Bob. "Tell you the +truth, Frank, I'll be mighty sorry when our trip +is over, because I reckon it'll be a long time before +we have another chance for such a great +gallop."</p> + +<p>But although of course he did not know it just +then, Bob was very much mistaken when he made +this prophecy. It happened that events were +shaping themselves at that very hour in a way +calculated to call upon the saddle boys to make +another venture into the realms of chance, and +mounted upon their prized horses too. What +these events were, and how well Frank and Bob +acquitted themselves when brought face to face +with new adventures, will be found set forth in +the next volume of this series, under the title of, +"The Saddle Boys on the Plains; Or, After a +Treasure of Gold."</p> + +<p>Old Hank and Chesty accompanied Professor +Oswald by way of the railroad to a point nearest +the ranch, where a vehicle would be awaiting +them. He had been greatly interested in hearing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +how one of the bottles that he had thrown +into the swift current of the Colorado had been +eventually picked up in far distant Mohave City; +and thus his note came into the hands of his relatives.</p> + +<p>Of course Frank and his chum enjoyed the return +gallop even more than when on the way to +the Grand Canyon. They no longer had anything +weighing on their minds, since the plans of +Eugene Warringford had been broken up. And +besides, the recollection of the astounding +wonders they had gazed upon in that great canyon +were bound to haunt them forever.</p> + +<p>The little professor was waiting to see them +at the ranch, before starting East to join his +daughter, and get his wonderful book under +way.</p> + +<p>"I owe you boys more than I can tell," he +declared, when he was saying good-bye; "and +you needn't be at all surprised if a nice little +bunch of gold mine stock comes this way for each +of you, just as soon as my deal goes through, +which will be in one more week."</p> + +<p>He was as good as his word, and when the +mine came under his authority he did send both +Frank and Bob some stock, on which they could +collect dividends four times a year.</p> + +<p>Frank looked in vain for the coming of the old +Moqui. Charley Moi did indeed turn up a little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +later, anxious to again meet the boys whom he +had served in the Grand Canyon. But Havasupai +came not to Circle Ranch; and remembering +how he had apparently been fleeing from +the wrath of his people at the time they first met +him, Frank and Bob could not but wonder +whether the old warrior had gone back to his +native village only to meet his fate at the hands +of his people, according to Moqui law.</p> + +<p>Here we may leave our two young friends, the +saddle boys, for a short time, enjoying a well +earned rest. But the lure of the great outdoors +was so strongly rooted in their natures that it +may be readily understood they could not remain +inactive long; but would soon be galloping over +the wide reaches, following the cowboys as they +rounded up the herds, branded mavericks and +young cattle, and picked out those intended for +shipment to the great marts at Kansas City.</p> + +<p>But while new scenes would likely interest +Frank and Bob from time to time, they could +never forget the magnificent views that had been +stamped upon their memories forever while in the +Grand Canyon of the mighty Colorado.<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">Contents</a></span></p> + +<p class="center">THE END</p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> + +<h3 class="space">THE BOYS' OUTING LIBRARY</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color.<br /> +Price, per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.</i></p><br /> + + +<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="The Saddle Boys Series."> + <tr> + <td rowspan="9"><img border="0" src="images/illus-211.jpg" height="165" width="125" alt="Book Illustration" /></td> + <td align="center"><b>THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES</b></td> + </tr> + <tr><td align="center"><span class="author">By CAPT. JAMES CARSON</span></td></tr> + <tr><td style="padding-left: 1em;">The Saddle Boys of the Rockies</td></tr> + <tr><td style="padding-left: 1em;">The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon</td></tr> + <tr><td style="padding-left: 1em;">The Saddle Boys on the Plains</td></tr> + <tr><td style="padding-left: 1em;">The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch</td></tr> + <tr><td style="padding-left: 1em;">The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails</td></tr> + <tr><td> </td></tr> + <tr><td> </td></tr> +</table> + +<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="The Dave Dashaway Series."> + <tr><td align="center"><b>THE DAVE DASHAWAY SERIES</b></td></tr> + <tr><td align="center"><span class="author">By ROY ROCKWOOD</span></td></tr> + <tr><td>Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator</td></tr> + <tr><td>Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane</td></tr> + <tr><td>Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship</td></tr> + <tr><td>Dave Dashaway Around the World</td></tr> + <tr><td>Dave Dashaway: Air Champion</td></tr> +</table> +<br /> +<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="The Speedwell Boys Series."> + <tr><td align="center"><b>THE SPEEDWELL BOYS SERIES</b></td></tr> + <tr><td align="center"><span class="author">By ROY ROCKWOOD</span></td></tr> + <tr><td>The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine</td></tr> + <tr><td>The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer</td></tr> +</table> +<br /> +<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="The Tom Fairfield Series."> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center"><b>THE TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES</b></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-bottom: .5em;"><span class="author">By ALLEN CHAPMAN</span></td></tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid">Tom Fairfield's School Days</td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;">Tom Fairfield in Camp</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid">Tom Fairfield at Sea</td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;">Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck</td> + </tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center">Tom Fairfield's Hunting Trip</td></tr> +</table> +<br /> +<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="The Fred Fenton Athletic Series."> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center"><b>THE FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES</b></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-bottom: .5em;"><span class="author">By ALLEN CHAPMAN</span></td></tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid">Fred Fenton the Pitcher</td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;">Fred Fenton in the Line</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid">Fred Fenton on the Crew</td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;">Fred Fenton on the Track</td> + </tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center">Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner</td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="center"><i>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue.</i></p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York</b></p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> + +<h3 class="space">THE JEWEL SERIES</h3> + +<p class="center"><span class="author">By AMES THOMPSON</span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in colors</i></p> + +<p class="center">Price per volume, 65 cents</p> + +<div class="imgl"> +<img border="0" src="images/illus-212.jpg" height="165" width="125" alt="Book Illustration" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><i>A series of stories brimming with hardy +adventure, vivid and accurate in detail, and +with a good foundation of probability. They +take the reader realistically to the scene of +action. Besides being lively and full of real +situations, they are written in a straightforward +way very attractive to boy readers.</i></p> +<br /> +<br /> + +<p><b>1. THE ADVENTURE BOYS <span class="smcap">and the</span> VALLEY OF DIAMONDS</b></p> + +<p>Malcolm Edwards and his son Ralph are adventurers with ample +means for following up their interest in jewel clues. In this book +they form a party of five, including Jimmy Stone and Bret Hartson, +boys of Ralph's age, and a shrewd level-headed sailor named Stanley +Greene. They find a valley of diamonds in the heart of Africa.</p><br /> + +<p><b>2. THE ADVENTURE BOYS <span class="smcap">and the</span> RIVER OF EMERALDS</b></p> + +<p>The five adventurers, staying at a hotel in San Francisco, find that +Pedro the elevator man has an interesting story of a hidden "river +of emeralds" in Peru, to tell. With him as guide, they set out to find +it, escape various traps set for them by jealous Peruvians, and are +much amused by Pedro all through the experience.</p><br /> + +<p><b>3. THE ADVENTURE BOYS <span class="smcap">and the</span> LAGOON OF PEARLS</b></p> + +<p>This time the group starts out on a cruise simply for pleasure, but +their adventuresome spirits lead them into the thick of things on a +South Sea cannibal island.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</i></p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, PUBLISHERS New York</b></p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> + +<h3 class="space">THE BOMBA BOOKS</h3> + +<p class="center"><span class="author">By ROY ROCKWOOD</span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. With colored jacket</i></p> + +<div class="imgl"> +<img border="0" src="images/illus-213.jpg" height="165" width="125" alt="Book Illustration" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p class="center"><b><i>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</i></b></p> + +<p><i>Bomba lived far back in the jungles of the +Amazon with a half-demented naturalist +who told the lad nothing of his past. The +jungle boy was a lover of birds, and hunted +animals with a bow and arrow and his trusty +machete. He had a primitive education in +some things, and his daring adventures will +be followed with breathless interest by thousands.</i></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>1. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>or The Old Naturalist's Secret</i></span></p> + +<p>In the depth of the jungle Bomba lives a life replete with thrilling +situations. Once he saves the lives of two American rubber hunters +who ask him who he is, and how he had come into the jungle. He +sets off to solve the mystery of his identity.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>2. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AT THE MOVING MOUNTAIN</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>or The Mystery of the Caves of Fire</i></span></p> + +<p>Bomba travels through the jungle, encountering wild beasts and +hostile natives. At last he trails the old man of the burning mountain +to his cave and learns more concerning himself.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>3. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AT THE GIANT CATARACT</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>or Chief Nascanora and His Captives</i></span></p> + +<p>From the Moving Mountain Bomba travels to the Giant Cataract, +still searching out his parentage. Among the Pilati Indians he finds +some white captives, and an aged opera singer who is the first to +give Bomba real news of his forebears.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>4. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY ON JAGUAR ISLAND</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>or Adrift on the River of Mystery</i></span></p> + +<p>Jaguar Island was a spot as dangerous as it was mysterious and +Bomba was warned to keep away. But the plucky boy sallied forth +and met adventures galore.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>5. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY IN THE ABANDONED CITY</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2.5em;"><i>or A Treasure Ten Thousand Years Old</i></span></p> + +<p>Years ago this great city had sunk out of sight beneath the trees +of the jungle. A wily half-breed and his tribe thought to carry away +its treasure of gold and precious stones. Bomba follows.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</i></p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York</b></p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> + +<h3 class="space">SEA STORIES FOR BOYS</h3> + +<p class="center"><span class="author">By JOHN GABRIEL ROWE</span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Large 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Colored jacket</i></p> + +<p class="center"><b><i>Price per volume, $1.00 Net</i></b></p> + +<div class="imgl"> +<img border="0" src="images/illus-214.jpg" height="165" width="125" alt="Book Illustration" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p><i>Every boy who knows the lure of exploring, +and who loves to rig up huts and caves and +tree-houses to fortify himself against imaginary +enemies will enjoy these books, for they +give a vivid chronicle of the doings and +inventions of a group of boys who are shipwrecked, +and have to make themselves snug +and safe in tropical islands where the +dangers are too real for play.</i></p> + +<br /><br /><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>1. CRUSOE ISLAND</b></p> + +<p>Dick, Alf and Fred find themselves stranded on an unknown island +with the old seaman Josh. Their ship destroyed by fire, their +friends lost, they have to make shift for themselves for a whole +exciting year before being rescued.</p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>2. THE ISLAND TREASURE</b></p> + +<p>With much ingenuity these boys fit themselves into the wild life +of the island they are cast upon in storm. They build various kinds of +strongholds and spend most of their time outwitting their enemies.</p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>3. THE MYSTERY OF THE DERELICT</b></p> + +<p>Their ship and companions perished in tempest at sea, the boys +are adrift in a small open boat when they spy a ship. Such a strange +vessel!—no hand guiding it, no soul on board,—a derelict. It +carries a gruesome mystery, as the boys soon discover, and it leads +them into a series of strange experiences.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</i></p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, PUBLISHERS New York</b></p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> + +<h3 class="space">THE BOY RANCHERS SERIES</h3> + +<p class="center"><span class="author">By WILLARD F. BAKER</span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors</i></p> + +<div class="imgl"> +<img border="0" src="images/illus-215.jpg" height="165" width="125" alt="Book Illustration" /> +</div> + +<br /> + +<p class="center"><b><i>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid</i></b></p> + +<p><i>Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as +a setting, related in such a style as to captivate +the hearts of all boys.</i></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>1. THE BOY RANCHERS</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X</i></span></p> + +<p>Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They +become involved in an exciting mystery.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or The Water Fight at Diamond X</i></span></p> + +<p> Returning for a visit, the two eastern lads learn, with delight, that +they are to become boy ranchers.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or The Diamond X After Cattle Rustlers</i></span></p> + +<p> Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or Trailing the Yaquis</i></span></p> + +<p> Rosemary and Floyd are captured by the Yaqui Indians but the +boy ranchers trailed them into the mountains and effected the rescue.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or Fighting the Sheep Herders</i></span></p> + +<p> Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out +heroic adventures.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>6. THE BOY RANCHERS IN THE DESERT</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or Diamond X and the Lost Mine</i></span></p> + +<p> One night a strange old miner almost dead from hunger and hardship +arrived at the bunk house. The boys cared for him and he told +them of the lost desert mine.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><b>7. THE BOY RANCHERS ON ROARING RIVER</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or Diamond X and the Chinese Smugglers</i></span></p> + +<p> The boy ranchers help capture Delton's gang who were engaged in +smuggling Chinese across the border.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue</i></p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York</b></p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Webster Series</b></span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap, small">By FRANK V. WEBSTER</span></p> + +<div class="imgl"> +<img border="0" src="images/illus-216.jpg" height="165" width="125" alt="Book Illustration" /> +</div> + +<br /><br /> +<p>Mr. WEBSTER'S style is very much like +that of the boys' favorite author, the late +lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales +are thoroughly up-to-date.</p> + +<p><b>Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. +Stamped in various colors.</b></p> + +<p><b>Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.</b></p> + +<br /> +<br /> + +<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" width="70%" summary="The Webster Series."> + <tr> + <td width="50%" class="tabmid"><b>Only a Farm Boy</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>Tom The Telephone Boy</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life</i></td> + <td><i>or The Mystery of a Message</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>The Boy From The Ranch</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>Bob The Castaway</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or Roy Bradner's City Experiences</i></td> + <td><i>or The Wreck of the Eagle</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>The Young Treasure Hunter</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>The Newsboy Partners</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska</i></td> + <td><i>or Who Was Dick Box?</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>The Boy Pilot of the Lakes</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>Two Boy Gold Miners</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or Nat Morton's Perils</i></td> + <td><i>or Lost in the Mountains</i></td> + </tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-top: .5em;"><b>The Young Firemen of Lakeville</b></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center"><i>or Herbert Dare's Pluck</i></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-top: .5em;"><b>The Boys of Bellwood School</b></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-bottom: .5em;"><i>or Frank Jordan's Triumph</i></td></tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>Jack the Runaway</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>High School Rivals</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or On the Road with a Circus</i></td> + <td><i>or Fred Markham's Struggles</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>Bob Chester's Grit</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>Darry The Life Saver</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or From Ranch to Riches</i></td> + <td><i>or The Heroes of the Coast</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>Airship Andy</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>Dick The Bank Boy</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or The Luck of a Brave Boy</i></td> + <td><i>or A Missing Fortune</i></td> + </tr> + + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-top: .5em;"><b>Ben Hardy's Flying Machine</b></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center"><i>or Making a Record for Himself</i></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-top: .5em;"><b>Harry Watson's High School Days</b></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-bottom: .5em;"><i>or The Rivals of Rivertown</i></td></tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>Comrades of the Saddle</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>The Boys of the Wireless</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains</i></td> + <td><i>or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>Tom Taylor at West Point</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>Cowboy Dave</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or The Old Army Officer's Secret</i></td> + <td><i>or The Round-up at Rolling River</i></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tabmid"><b>The Boy Scouts of Lennox</b></td> + <td style="padding-left: .5em;"><b>Jack of the Pony Express</b></td> + </tr> + <tr align="right"> + <td class="tabmid"><i>or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain</i></td> + <td><i>or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail</i></td> + </tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center" style="padding-top: .5em;"><b>The Boys of the Battleship</b></td></tr> + <tr><td colspan="2" align="center"><i>or For the Honor of Uncle Sam</i></td></tr> +</table> + +<br /> + +<p class="center"><b>CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers NEW YORK</b></p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> + +<h2 class="space"><i>The Boy Hunters Series</i></h2> + +<p class="center"><i>By Captain Ralph Bonehill</i></p> + +<p class="center">12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid.</p> + +<div class="imgl"> +<img border="0" src="images/illus-217.jpg" height="165" width="125" alt="Book Illustration" /> +</div><br /><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>FOUR BOY HUNTERS</b><br /> +<i>Or, The Outing of the Gun Club</i></p> + +<p>A fine, breezy story of the woods and +waters, of adventures in search of +game, and of great times around the campfire, +told in Captain Bonehill's best style. +In the book are given full directions for +camping out.</p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>GUNS AND SNOWSHOES</b><br /> +<i>Or, The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters</i></p> + +<p>In this volume the young hunters leave home for a winter outing on the +shores of a small lake. They hunt and trap to their hearts' content, +and have adventures in plenty, all calculated to make boys "sit up and +take notice." A good healthy book; one with the odor of the pine forests +and the glare of the welcome campfire in every chapter.</p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>YOUNG HUNTERS OF THE LAKE</b><br /> +<i>Or, Out with Rod and Gun</i></p> + +<p>Another tale of woods and waters, with some strong hunting scenes and +a good deal of mystery. The three volumes make a splendid outdoor series.</p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>OUT WITH GUN AND CAMERA</b><br /> +<i>Or, The Boy Hunters in the Mountains</i></p> + +<p>Takes up the new fad of photographing wild animals as well as +shooting them. An escaped circus chimpanzee and an escaped lion +add to the interest of the narrative.</p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK</b></p> + +<hr /> + +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> + +<h3 class="space">THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES</h3> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">by clarence young</span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid</i></p> + +<div class="imgl"> +<img border="0" src="images/illus-218.jpg" height="235" width="175" alt="Book Illustration" /> +</div><br /><br /> + +<p><b>THE MOTOR BOYS</b><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or Chums Through Thick and Thin</i></span><br /> +<b>THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND</b><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune</i></span><br /> +<b>THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO</b><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or The Secret of the Buried City</i></span><br /> +<b>THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS</b><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or The Hermit of Lost Lake</i></span><br /> +<b>THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT</b><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.5em;"><i>or The Cruise of the Dartaway</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or The Mystery of the Lighthouse</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Lost in a Floating Forest</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or The Young Derelict Hunters</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or A Trip for Fame and Fortune</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or A Mystery of the Air</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or A Marvelous Rescue in Mid-Air</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Seeking the Airship Treasure</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS AFTER A FORTUNE</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or The Hut on Snake Island</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE BORDER</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Sixty Nuggets of Gold</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS UNDER THE SEA</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or From Airship to Submarine</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS ON ROAD AND RIVER</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Racing to Save a Life</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS AT BOXWOOD HALL</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Ned, Bob and Jerry as Freshmen</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS ON A RANCH</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Ned, Bob and Jerry Among the Cowboys</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE ARMY</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Ned, Bob and Jerry as Volunteers</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Ned, Bob and Jerry Fighting for Uncle Sam</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS BOUND FOR HOME</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Wrecked Troopship</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b>THE MOTOR BOYS ON THUNDER MOUNTAIN</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;"><i>or The Treasure Box of Blue Rock</i></span></p><br /> + +<p class="center"><b>CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY. Publishers New York</b></p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 21841-h.txt or 21841-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/4/21841">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/8/4/21841</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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+1,6113 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon, by James +Carson + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon + or The Hermit of the Cave + + +Author: James Carson + + + +Release Date: June 15, 2007 [eBook #21841] +[Last updated: March 10, 2011] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND +CANYON*** + + +E-text prepared by Mark C. Orton, Thomas Strong, Linda McKeown, and the +Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team +(https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 21841-h.htm or 21841-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/4/21841/21841-h/21841-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/1/8/4/21841/21841-h.zip) + + + + + +THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON + +Or + +The Hermit of the Cave + +by + +CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON + +Author of "The Saddle Boys of the Rockies," "The Saddle +Boys on the Plains," "The Saddle Boys at +Circle Ranch," Etc. + +Illustrated + + + + + + + +New York +Cupples & Leon Company +Publishers + + + * * * * * * + + + BOOKS FOR BOYS + + BY CAPTAIN JAMES CARSON + + + THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES + + 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. + + + THE SADDLE BOYS OF THE ROCKIES + Or, Lost On Thunder Mountain + + THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON + Or, The Hermit of the Cave + + THE SADDLE BOYS ON THE PLAINS + Or, After a Treasure of Gold + + THE SADDLE BOYS AT CIRCLE RANCH + Or, In At The Grand Round-Up + + CUPPLES & LEON CO PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK. + + + * * * * * * + + +Copyrighted 1913, by +Cupples & Leon Company + +THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON + +Printed in U.S.A. + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER PAGE + + I. THE WORK OF THE WOLF PACK 1 + + II. RIDDING THE RANGE OF A PEST 11 + + III. THE FLOATING BOTTLE 21 + + IV. THE LISTENER UNDER THE WINDOW 34 + + V. STARTING FOR THE GRAND CANYON 46 + + VI. BUCKSKIN ON GUARD 54 + + VII. STANDING BY THE LAW 62 + + VIII. THE MOQUI WHO WAS CAUGHT NAPPING 71 + + IX. "TALK ABOUT LUCK!" 79 + + X. THE COPPER-COLORED MESSENGER 87 + + XI. AT THE GRAND CANYON 98 + + XII. HOW THE LITTLE TRAP WORKED 105 + + XIII. GOING DOWN THE CANYON TRAIL 116 + + XIV. THE HOME OF THE CLIFF DWELLERS 124 + + XV. THE TREACHEROUS GUIDE 135 + + XVI. A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY 143 + + XVII. THE WINDOWS IN THE ROCKY WALLS 151 + +XVIII. FINDING A WAY UP 158 + + XIX. FORTUNE STILL FAVORS THE BRAVE 167 + + XX. ANOTHER SURPRISE 175 + + XXI. THE LITTLE OLD MAN OF ECHO CAVE 184 + + XXII. TURNING THE TABLES--CONCLUSION 195 + + + + +THE SADDLE BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE WORK OF THE WOLF PACK + + +"Hold up, Bob!" + +"Any signs of the lame yearling, Frank?" + +"Well, there seems to be something over yonder to the west; but the sage +crops up, and interferes a little with my view." + +"Here, take the field glasses and look; while I cinch my saddle girth, +which has loosened again." + +Frank Haywood adjusted the glasses to his eye. Then, rising in his +saddle, he gazed long and earnestly in the direction he had indicated. +Meanwhile his companion, also a lad, a native of Kentucky, and answering +to the name of Bob Archer, busied himself about the band of his saddle, +having leaped to the ground. + +Frank was the only son of a rancher and mine owner, Colonel Leonidas +Haywood, who was a man of some wealth. Frank had blue eyes, and +tawny-colored hair; and, since much of his life had been spent on the +plains among the cattle men, he knew considerable about the ways of +cowboys and hunters, though always ready to pick up information from +veterans of the trail. + +Bob had come to the far Southwest as a tenderfoot; but, being quick to +learn, he hoped to graduate from that class after a while. Having always +been fond of outdoor sports in his Kentucky home, he was, at least, no +greenhorn. When he came to the new country where his father was +interested with Frank's in mining ventures, Bob had brought his favorite +Kentucky horse, a coal-black stallion known as "Domino," and which vied +with Frank's native "Buckskin" in good qualities. + +These two lads were so much abroad on horseback that they had become +known as the "Saddle Boys." They loved nothing better than to ride the +plains, mounted on their pet steeds, and go almost everywhere the +passing whim tempted them. + +Of course, in that wonderland there was always a chance for adventure +when one did much wandering; and that Frank and Bob saw their share of +excitement can be readily understood. Some of the strange things that +happened to them have already been narrated in the first volume of this +series, "The Saddle Boys of the Rockies, Or, Lost on Thunder Mountain," +and which, in a way, is an introduction to the present story. In the +first book the boys cleared up a wonderful mystery concerning a great +cavern. + +For several minutes Bob was busily engaged with the saddle girth that +had been giving him considerable trouble on this gallop. + +"There," he remarked, finally, throwing down the flap as though +satisfied with his work. "I reckon I've got it fixed now so that it will +hold through the day; but I need a new girth, and when we pull up again +at Circle Ranch I'll see about getting it. Oh! did you make out anything +with the glasses, Frank?" + +He sprang into the saddle like one who had spent much of his time on +horseback. Domino curvetted and pranced a little, being still full of +mettle and spirits; but a very firm hand held him in. + +"Take the glass, and see if you can make out what it is," Frank +remarked, as if he hardly knew himself, or felt like trusting his eyes. + +A minute later Bob lowered the glasses. + +"There's something on the ground, and I can catch a glimpse of what +looks like a dun-colored hide through the tufts of buffalo grass. The +yearling was red, you said, Frank? All right. Then I reckon we'll find +her there; but not on her feet." + +"Come on!" + +As he said these curt words Frank let Buckskin have his head; and, +accompanied by his chum, started at a full gallop over the level, in the +direction of the spot where the dun-colored object had been sighted. + +Shortly afterward they topped a little rise, and pulled up. No need to +doubt their eyes now. Just before them lay the mangled remains of the +lame yearling, very little being left to tell the story of how the +animal had met its fate. + +"Wolves!" said Frank, gloomily, as he sat looking down at the torn hide. + +"I don't know the signs as well as you, Frank, but I'd say the same from +general indications. And they had a royal good feast, too. This makes a +round half dozen head your father has lost in the last month, doesn't +it?" asked Bob. + +"Seven, all told. When Bart Heminway told me he had noticed that one of +those fine yearlings seemed lame, I wondered if something wasn't going +to happen to it soon. And then, when we missed it from the herd last +night, I guessed what had come about. They caught her behind the rest, +and pulled her down. The poor thing didn't have a ghost of a show +against that pack of savage wolf-dogs." + +"I'd like to have just one chance at them, that's all," grumbled Bob, as +he let his hand fondle the butt of a modern repeating rifle, which he +carried fastened to his saddle. + +"This is sure the limit, and it's just got to stop!" declared Frank, +grimly. + +"Right now?" queried his chum, eagerly. + +Two pairs of flashing eyes met, the black ones sending a challenge +toward the blue. + +"Why not?" said Frank, shutting his jaws hard, "the day is before us +still; and we're well primed for the business of hunting that pack to +their den. Look at that bunch of rocks a few miles off; that must be +where they hang out, Bob! Queer that none of the boys have ever thought +of hunting in this quarter for that old she-wolf Sallie, and her brood." + +"Then you think she did it, do you?" asked Bob. + +"Sure she did. You can see for yourself where her jaws closed on the +throat of the poor yearling. Everybody knows her trademark. That sly +beast has been the bane of the cattle ranches around here for several +years. They got to calling her Sallie in fun; but it's been serious +business lately; and many a cowboy'd ride two hundred miles for a chance +to knock her over." + +"And yet none of the rough riders have even thought to search that rocky +pile for her den, you say?" Bob continued. + +"Why, you see, the killings have always been in other directions," Frank +explained. "Just as shrewd animals often do, up to now Sallie has never +pulled down a calf anywhere near her den. I reckon she just knew it +might cause a search. But this time she's either grown over-bold, or +else the pack started to do the business in spite of her, and she was +forced into the game." + +"Well, shall we head for that elevation, and see what we can find?" +asked Bob, who was inclined to be a little impatient. + +"Wait a bit. It would be ten times better if we could only track the +greedy pack direct; but that's a hard proposition, here on the open," +Frank observed. + +"Well, what can we do then?" his chum asked. + +"Perhaps put it in the hands of the best trailer in Arizona," and with a +laugh Frank pointed off to the left. + +The Kentucky boy turned his head in surprise, and then exclaimed: + +"Old Hank Coombs, on his pony, as sure as anything! You knew he was +coming along all the while, and just kept mum. But I'm sure glad to see +the old cowman right now. And it may turn out to be a day of reckoning +for that cunning Sallie, and her half grown cubs." + +The two lads waved their range hats, and sent out a salute that was +readily answered by the advancing cowman. Hank Coombs was indeed a +veteran in the cattle line, having been one of the very first to throw a +rope, and "mill" stampeding steers in Texas, and farther to the west. + +He was an angular old fellow, grim looking in his greasy leather +"chaps;" but with a twinkle in his eyes that told of the spirit of fun +that had never been quenched by the passage of time. + +"Howdy, boys," he called out, as he drew rein alongside the two lads. +"What's this here yer lookin' at? Another dead calf? No, I swan if it +ain't a yearling as has been pulled down now. Things seem t' be gittin' +t' a warm pass when sech doin' air allowed. Huh! an' it looks like +Sallie's work, too! That sly ole critter is goin' t' git t' the end of +her rope some fine day." + +"Why not to-day, Hank?" demanded Frank, briskly. + +The veteran grinned, as though he had half anticipated having such a +question asked. + +"So, that's the way the wind blows, hey?" he remarked, slowly; and then +he nodded his small head approvingly. "Jest as you say, Frank, thar's no +time like the present t' do things. The hull pack hes been here, I see, +an' no matter how cunning old Sallie allers shows herself, a chain's +only as strong as th' weakest link. One of her cubs will sure leave +tracks we kin foller. All right, boys count on me t' back ye up. I'll go +wharever ye say, Frank." + +"We'll follow the trail, if there is one," said Frank, instantly; "but +the chances are that's where we'll bring up," and he pointed with his +quirt in the direction of the rocky uplift that stood like a landmark +in the midst of the great level sea of purple sage brush, marking the +plain. + +After one good look the cowman nodded his head again in the affirmative. + +"Reckon as how y'r' right, Frank," he remarked; "but we'll see how the +trail heads." + +Throwing himself from his saddle he bent down over the remains of the +yearling that had been so unfortunate as to become lame, and thus, +lagging far behind the rest of the herd, fallen a victim to the wolf +pack. + +"Easy as fallin' off a log," announced old Hank, immediately. "Jest as I +was sayin', thar's nearly allers one clumsy cub as don't hev half sense; +an' I kin foller this trail on horseback, 'pears to me." + +He ran it out a little way; then, once more mounting, went on ahead, +with his keen eyes fastened on the ground. + +Bob watched his actions with the greatest of interest. He knew Old Hank +was discovering a dozen signs that would be utterly invisible to one who +had not had many years of practice in tracking both wild animals and +human beings. + +Now and then the trailer would draw in his horse, as though desirous of +looking more carefully at the ground. Twice he even dropped off and bent +low, to make positive his belief. + +"I reckon you were right, Frank," remarked Bob, after half an hour of +this sort of travel "because, you see, even if the trail did lead away +from the rocks at first, it's heading that way now on a straight line." + +"Thet was only the cuteness of the ole wolf," said Hank. "She's up t' +all the dodges goin'. But that comes a day of reckonin' for all her +kind; an' her's orter be showin' up right soon." + +When another half hour passed the three riders had reached the border of +the strange pile of rocks. And as Frank looked up at the rough heap, +with its many crevices and angles, he considered that it certainly must +offer an ideal den to any wild beast wishing to hide through the +daytime, and prowl forth when darkness and night lay upon the land. + +"Here's whar the trail ends at the rocks," said Hank, as he dismounted +and threw the bridle over the head of his horse, cowboy fashion, knowing +that under ordinary conditions the animal would remain there, just as if +hobbled, or staked out. + +Both of the saddle boys followed his example, and, holding their rifles +ready, prepared to search the rocks for some trace of the wolf den. Wild +animals may be very cunning about locating their retreat in a place +where it will be hidden from the eye of a casual passer; but, in course +of time, they cannot prevent signs from accumulating, calculated to +betray its presence to one who is keenly on the watch. + +The three searchers had not been moving back and forth among the piles +of rocks more than ten minutes when Old Hank was observed to raise his +head, smile, and sniff the air with more or less eagerness. + +"Must be close by, boys," he said, positively. "I kin git the rank odor +that allers hangs 'round the den of wild animals as brings meat home, +an' leaves the bones. The air is a-comin' from that quarter, an' chances +are we'll find the hole sumwhar over yonder." + +"I think I see it," said Frank, eagerly. "Just above that little spur +there's a black looking crevice in the rock." + +"As dark as my hat," added Hank; "an' I reckon as how that's whar Sallie +lives when she's t' home. Now t' invite ourselves int' her leetle +parlor, boys!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +RIDDING THE RANGE OF A PEST + + +"Well, what do you think now, Frank?" asked Bob, as they stood in front +of that gloomy looking crevice, and observed the marks of many claws +upon the discolored rock, where hairy bodies had drawn themselves along +countless times. + +"I'm wondering," the other replied; "what ails our boys at the ranch +never to have suspected that old Sallie had her den, and raised her +broods, so close to the Circle Ranch. Why, right now we're not more'n +ten miles, as the crow flies, away from home. And for years this +terrible she-wolf has lived on the calves and partly grown animals +belonging to cattlemen in this neck of the land. It makes me tired to +think of it!" + +"But Frank, it's a long lane that has no turning," remarked Bob; "and +just now we've got to the bend. Sallie has invited her fate once too +often. That lame yearling is going to spell her finish, if Old Hank here +has his way." + +"It sure is," agreed Frank. "And when we get back home with the hide of +that old pest fastened to a saddle, the boys will be some sore to think +how anyone of the lot might have done the job, if they'd only turned +this way." + +"But what's Hank going to do?" asked the Kentucky boy, watching the +veteran cow-puncher searching on the ground under a stunted pinon tree +that chanced to grow where there was a small bit of soil among the +rocks. + +"I don't know for a dead certainty," replied the other; "but I rather +think he's picking up some pieces of wood that might make good torches." + +"Whew! then he means that we're to go into the cave, and get our +game--is that it, Frank?" demanded the other, unconsciously tightening +his grip on his rifle, as he glanced once more toward that yawning +crevice, leading to unknown depths, where the wolf pack lurked during +the daytime to issue forth when night came around. + +"That would be just like the old chap, for he knows nothing of fear," +Frank replied; "but of course there's no necessity for _both_ of us to +go with him. One might remain here, so as to knock over any stray beast +that managed to escape the attention of those who went in." + +"All right; where will you take up your stand, Frank?" asked Bob, +instantly; at which his chum laughed, as though tickled. + +"So you think I'd consent to stay out here tamely, while you two were +having a regular circus in there?" he remarked. "That would never suit +me. And it's easy to see that you count on a ticket of admission to +Sallie's parlor, too. Well, then, we'll all go, and share in the danger, +as well as the sport. For to rid the range country of this pest I +consider the greatest favor under the sun. But there comes Hank with a +bundle of torches under his arm." + +"We're off, then!" chuckled Bob. + +"Make sure o' yer guns, lads," said the cowman, as he came up; "because, +in a case like this, when ye want t' shoot it's apt t' be in a hurry. +An' anybody as knows what a fierce critter ole Sallie is, kin tell ye +it'll take an ounce of lead, put in the right place, t' down her fur +keeps." + +"I'm ready," Frank assured the old hunter. + +"Then, jest as soon's I kin git this flare goin' we'll push in." Hank +announced. + +"Will we be able to see the game with such a poor light?" asked Bob, a +trifle nervously, as his mind went back to school days, to remember what +he had read of that old Revolutionary patriot, Israel Putnam, entering a +wolf's den alone, and killing the beast in open fight; truth to tell Bob +had never seen a real den in which wild beasts hid from the sun; and +imagination doubled its perils in his mind. + +"Fust thing ye see'll be some yaller eyes starin' at ye outen the +dark," said Hank, obligingly. "Then, when I gives the word, both of ye +let go, aimin' direct atween the yaller spots." + +"But what if we miss, and the beast attacks us?" Bob went on, wishing to +be thoroughly posted before venturing into that hole. + +"In case of a mix-up," the veteran went on; "every feller is for +hisself; only, recerlect thar mustn't be any shootin' at close quarters. +Use yer knives, or else swat her over the head with yer clubbed guns. +We're bound t' git Sallie this time, by hook er by crook! Ready, son?" + +Both boys declared that they had no reason for delaying matters. Since +it had been decided as best to invade the wolf den, the sooner they +started, the better. + +True, Bob thought that had it been left to him, he would have first +tried to smoke out the occupants of the cleft, waiting near by to shoot +them down as they rushed out of the depths. But then Hank was directing +matters now, and whatever he said must be done. + +Besides, Hank had known wolves ever since he first "toted" a gun, now +more than fifty-five years ago. Perhaps he understood how difficult it +is to smoke out a pack of wolves, that invariably seek a cave with a +depth sufficient to get away from all the influences of the smudge. + +Without the slightest hesitation Old Hank got down on hands and knees, +and began to crawl into the gaping mouth of the crevice. + +It did not go straight in, but seemed to twist around more or less. All +the while the two boys kept close at the heels of the guide who carried +that flaring torch. They watched ahead to detect the first sign of the +enemy; and had their ears on the alert with the same idea in view. + +Stronger grew the odor that invariably marks the den of carnivorous +animals. + +"We ought to stir her up soon now, Frank," whispered Bob, on whom the +strain was bearing hard, since he was not used to anything of this sort. + +"Yes, unless the sly old beast has a back door to her home; how about +that, Hank?" asked the cattleman's son. + +"Don't reckon as how it's so," came the ready response. "In thet event, +we'd feel a breath of fresh air; an' ye knows as how we don't. Stiddy +boys, keep yer wits about ye! She's clost by, now!" + +"I heard a growl!" admitted Bob. + +"And there were whines too, from the half grown cubs," ventured Frank. + +"Once we turn this bend just ahead, likely enough we'll be in the mess," +Bob remarked. + +"Range on both sides of me, boys," directed Hank, halting, so that they +could overtake him; because he knew full well that the crisis of this +bold invasion of the she-wolf's den was near at hand. + +In this fashion, then, the three turned the rocky corner. + +"I see the yellow eyes!" whispered Bob, beginning to bring his gun-stock +nearer to his shoulder. "Say, there's a whole raft of 'em, Frank!" + +"Sure," came the quick reply, close to his ear. "Hank said there was +about five of the brood. Hold your fire, Bob. Pick out the mother wolf +first." + +"That's what I want to do; but how can I make sure?" demanded the +Kentucky lad, trying his best to keep his hands from trembling with +excitement. + +He had sunk down upon one knee. This allowed him to rest his elbow on +the knee that was in position, always a favorite attitude with Bob when +using a rifle. + +"Take the eyes that are above all the rest, and which seem so much +larger and fiercer. Are you on, Bob?" continued the other, who was also +handling his gun with all the eagerness of a sportsman. + +"Yes," came the firm reply. + +"Then let her go!" + +The last word was drowned in a terrific roar, for when a gun is fired +in confined space the din is tremendous. Even as he pulled the trigger +Bob knew that luck was against him; for the animal had moved at a time +when he could not delay the pressure of his finger. + +He heard a second report close beside him. Frank had also fired, +realizing what had occurred, and that in all probability the first +bullet would only wound the savage beast, without putting an end to her +activities. + +The torch went sputtering to the floor of the cave, having been knocked +from the hand of Hank when the wolf struck him heavily. He could be +heard trying to rescue it before it went completely out, all the while +letting off a volley of whoops and directions. + +Fortunately Frank had kept his wits about him. And his rifle was still +gripped firmly in his hands, he having instantly pumped a new cartridge +into the chamber after firing. The half grown cubs showed an inclination +to follow their mother in her headlong attack on the human invaders of +the den; for the numerous gleaming pairs of eyes were undoubtedly +advancing when Frank turned his gun loose on them. + +The din was simply terrific. Bob was more concerned with the possibility +of an attack from the ferocious mother wolf then anything else. He had +lost track of her after that first furious rush, and crouching there, +was trying the best he knew how to locate the creature again. + +Meanwhile Old Hank had succeeded in picking up the torch, which, being +held in an upright position, began to shed a fair amount of light once +more. + +Not seeing anything else at which he could fire, Bob now started in to +assist his chum get rid of the ugly whelps that were advancing, +growling, snarling, and in various other ways proving how they had +inherited the fearless nature of the beast that had nursed them in that +den. + +Perhaps it was all one-sided, since the animals never had a chance to +get in touch with the invaders. Neither of the boys ever felt very proud +of the work; but in view of the tremendous amount of damage a pack of +hungry wolves can do on a cattle ranch, or in a sheepfold, they had no +scruples concerning the matter. Besides, every one along the Arizona +border hated a wolf almost as badly as they did a cowardly coyote; for +while the former may be bolder than the beast that slinks across the +desert looking for carrion, its capacity for mischief is a good many +times as great. + +"I don't see any more eyes, Frank!" called out Bob, presently, as he +tried to penetrate the cloud of powder-smoke that surrounded both of +them. + +"That's because we got 'em all, I reckon," replied his chum. "How about +that, Hank?" + +"Cleaned the hull brood out, son," replied the other, chuckling; "an' no +mistake about it either." + +"But where did the big one go to; has she escaped after all?" asked Bob, +with a note of regret in his voice; for he thought the blame would be +placed on him, for having made a poor shot when he had such a splendid +chance to finish the animal. + +"Oh! I wouldn't worry myself about her, Bob," chuckled Frank, who had +already made a discovery; and as he spoke he pointed to a spot close by, +where, huddled in a heap, lay the heavy body of the fiercest cattle +thief known for years along the border. + +"She was mortally hurted by the fust shot," said Hank, as they stood +over the gaunt animal, and surveyed her proportions with almost a touch +of awe; "but seemed like the critter had enough strength left t' make +thet leap, as nigh knocked me flat. Then she jest keeled over, an' guv +up the ghost. Arter this the young heifers kin stray away from their +mother's sides, without bein' dragged off. Thar'll be a vote o' thanks +sent ter ye, Bob, from every ranch inside of fifty mile, 'cause of what +ye did when ye pulled trigger this day." + +Hank, being an experienced worker, did not take very long to secure the +pelt of the dead terror of the desert. Then they left the rocks, finding +their horses just where they had left them. + +All of the animals showed signs of alarm when they scented the skin of +the wolf; and Domino in particular pranced and snorted at a great rate +since his education had been neglected in this particular. So Hank, +having the best trained steed in the bunch, insisted on carrying the +pelt with him on their return trip to the ranch. + +Ten miles, as the crow flies, and they would be at home; and with +comparatively fresh steeds, that should not count for more than an +hour's gallop. + +Before they had gone three miles, however, Bob called the attention of +his chum to a horseman who was galloping toward them. It was a cowboy, +and he waved his broad-brimmed hat over his head as he came sweeping +forward. + +"Is he doing stunts; or does he want us?" asked Bob. + +"It's Ted Conway," replied Frank, with a sudden look of anxiety; "one of +the steadiest boys at the ranch; and he acts as if something had +happened at home!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE FLOATING BOTTLE + + +Waving his hat after the extravagant manner of his kind, the cowboy +swept constantly nearer the little party. Indeed, it was impossible for +them to guess whether Ted Conway bore a message, or was simply delighted +to see the son of his employer, and his chum. + +Presently he reached the constantly advancing trio, and under the pull +of the reins his pony reared upon its hind legs. + +"What's wrong, Ted?" asked Frank, immediately. + +"Wanted at the ranch, Frank," came the answer. "The boss has sent me out +to look you up on the jump. Told me as how you started out on a gallop +this way, an' I took chances. Reckon I was some lucky to strike you so +easy." + +"But what has happened, Ted?" insisted the boy, trying to read the +bronzed face of the other, and get a hint as to whether his mission +verged on the serious or not. + +It was so very unusual for Colonel Haywood to send anyone out to find +him, that Frank's suspicions were naturally aroused. + +"Well, the Colonel had a little tumble with that game leg of his--same +one that the steer fell on, and broke two years back, in the big +round-up--" began the cowboy, when Frank interrupted him. + +"Then he must have been seriously hurt this time, or he wouldn't send +you out for me. Tell me the worst, Ted; you ought to realize that it's +better for me to know it all in the start, than by degrees. Is my father +dead?" + +"No. Last I seen of the Colonel, he was a real live man; only he had his +leg done up agin in splints; an' the ole doc. from the Arrowhead Ranch +was thar, 'tending to him. No, it ain't on count of his leetle trouble +with that leg that made him send me out huntin' for you, Frank." + +"What then?" demanded the boy, curtly; but with a sigh of relief, for +his father was very dear to him. + +"Thar come a messenger to the ranch a while ago, an' somethin' he +fetched along with him, 'peared to excite the boss right from the word +go," Ted admitted. + +"A messenger, Ted?" the boy echoed, wonderingly. + +"Never seen him afore, an' think he kim from town," the new arrival went +on to say. "Leastwise, he looked like a stray maverick, an' had a +b'iled shirt, with a collar that I reckoned sure would choke him. Atween +you an' me I tried to get him to chuck the same; but he only grinned, +an' allowed he could stand it." + +"Oh! a messenger from town, was it?" said Frank, with a relieved look. +"Then the chances are it must have been some business connected with a +shipment of cattle. Perhaps the railroad has had a bad wreck, and wants +to settle for that last bunch we sent away." + +But Ted shook his head in the negative. + +"'T'wan't no railroad man; that I know," he affirmed, positively. +"'Sides, the boss was holdin' of a bottle in his hand, an' seemed to set +a heap of store by it." + +"A bottle, Ted?" cried Frank, deeply interested. + +"That's what," replied the cowboy, energetically. "But jest why he +should reckon such a thing wuth shucks I can't tell ye. But he sent me +out to bring you back to the ranch house like two-forty. I seen that he +was plumb locoed, and some excited by the news, whatever it might be." + +Frank looked at his chum in a puzzled way, and shook his head. + +"I don't seem able to make head or tail of this business, Bob," he +remarked; "but there's only one thing to be done, and that's to romp +home on the gallop. So away we go with a rush. Who's after me! Hi! get +long, Buckskin! It's a race for a treat of oats as a prize! Here you +are, Bob; hit up the pace!" + +With the words Frank gave his horse free rein, and went tearing over the +level plain, headed as straight for the distant ranch as though he were +a bird far up in the clear air, and could see to make a direct line "as +the crow flies!" + +And after a time, in the distance, they saw the whitewashed outbuildings +of Circle Ranch. Frank never viewed the familiar and dearly loved scene +with more anxiety than he did now; but so far as he could see there did +not appear to be anything out of the ordinary taking place around the +ranch house. + +"Looks all right, Bob!" exclaimed Frank, as though a great load had been +taken from his heart. + +The sudden coming of Ted Conway, with that queer message that meant a +hurried return, had mystified the boy not a little. But he knew that all +would soon be made plain now, since they were nearly home. + +Dashing up in front of the house, the two lads jumped to the ground +almost before their mounts had come to a halt. The door was open, and +Frank led the way in a headlong rush. + +As they entered he saw his father seated in his comfortable easy-chair, +with that unfortunate leg, that had given him more or less trouble for +two years now, propped on another seat, and bound up. + +There was a stranger with him, but no sign of the Arrowhead Ranch cowboy +doctor; which would indicate that, having done his duty, the roving +physician and bone-setter had returned to his regular business, which +was roping and branding cattle. + +Colonel Haywood was a man in the prime of life. Up to the time that +clumsy steer had broken his leg he had been most active; but since then +he had not been able to get around on his feet so well, though able to +ride fairly comfortably. + +"Hello! Frank, my boy!" he exclaimed, as the two came rushing in. "So +Ted managed to round you up in great style; did he? Well, I always said +Ted was the sharpest fellow on the range when it came to finding things. +Where have you been to-day?" + +"Doing a little missionary work for the country," replied Frank, +smiling. "We came across that lame pet yearling, the dun-colored one you +thought so much of; and there was mighty little left of the poor beast +but a torn hide, not worth lifting." + +"Huh! wolves again!" exclaimed the stock-raiser, with a frown. + +"Sure thing, sir," Frank went on. "We saw a heap of signs that told us +our old friend, Sallie, with the broken tooth, had been on the job +again. But that was the last of our beef the old lady'll ever taste, or +anybody else's, for that matter." + +"What's that? Did you sight her, and get a shot?" demanded the pleased +rancher, forgetting his broken leg in his excitement, and making a +movement that immediately caused him to give a grunt, and settle back +again. + +"Old Hank happened to run across our trail just then," Frank continued; +"and we made up our minds to track the beast to her lair. Where do you +suppose we found it, dad, but in the big bunch of rocks that lies about +ten miles to the west?" + +"You surprise me; but go on, tell me the rest, and then I'm going to let +you in on something that will open your eyes a little," remarked the +stockman. + +"Oh! there isn't much more to tell, dad," the boy hastened to say, for +he was eager to learn what all this mystery meant. "We found the +opening, easy enough, and made up our minds to crawl in after Sallie, +the whole three of us. So Hank picked up some wood for a flare, and in +we went." + +"And you found her home? You met with a warm reception, I warrant!" the +other exclaimed, his eyes kindling with pride as he saw the quiet, +confident air with which Frank rattled off his story. + +"Sallie was in, ditto five of her half-grown brood, and all full of +fight," the boy continued. "But of course they didn't have a ghost of a +show against our two repeating rifles. Hank held the torch, and Bob +fired first. Then the brute jumped, and nearly got Hank, who lost the +flare for a few seconds. We keeled over the ugly whelps as they started +for us; and later on found old Sallie, just as she had dropped. That big +jump was her last." + +"Well, I'm glad to hear that, son," declared the rancher, who had +suffered long and seriously from the depredations of that sly animal and +her various broods, despite all efforts to locate her, and put an end to +her attacks. + +"I'm glad you're pleased with what we did," Frank remarked. + +"It will mean a lot to all honest ranchmen in this section," continued +the cattleman. "With Sallie gone, we can hope to raise a record herd the +coming season, without keeping men constantly on the watch, day and +night, for a slinking thief that defied our best efforts. Shake hands, +Bob, and let me congratulate you on making the shot that ended the +loping of the worst pest this country has known in five years." + +"But when Ted came whirling along, shouting, and waving his hat, to tell +us you wanted me back home on the jump, it gave me a bad feeling, dad; +especially when I heard that you'd gone and hurt that leg again!" Frank +cried, as he, too, seized the other hand of his father, and squeezed it +affectionately. + +"But I told Ted to be sure and let you know that it was not on account +of my new upset that I wanted you back," declared the ranchman, +frowning. + +"Yes, he delivered the message all right, dad; but all the same I was +bothered a heap, let me tell you," Frank went on. "And now, please, tell +us what it's all about; won't you; and what this gentleman has to do +with it; also the bottle Ted said you were handling?" + +At that Colonel Haywood smiled, and looked up at the stranger. + +"This is a Mr. Hinchman, Frank," he remarked. "He lives in a small place +on the great Colorado River called Mohave City. And one day, not long +ago, a man who was fishing on the river at a place where an eddy set in, +found a curious bottle floating, that was sealed with red wax on the +top, and seemed to contain only a piece of paper. This is the bottle," +and as he spoke he opened a drawer of the desk, and drew out the flask +in question. + +Frank took it, and turned it around. So far as he could see it was an +ordinary bottle. It contained no cork, but there were signs of sealing +wax around the top. + +"Mr. Hinchman, is, I believe," the ranchman went on, "though he has been +too modest to say so himself, a gentleman of some importance in Mohave +City, which accounted for the fisherman fetching his queer find to him. +The bottle had evidently come down the great river, perhaps for one or +two hundred miles, escaping destruction from contact with rocks in a +marvelous manner, and finally falling into the hands of one who had both +the time and the curiosity to examine its sealed contents." + +Colonel Haywood thereupon took up a small piece of paper from the pad of +the desk. + +"This is what he found in the bottle, Frank," continued the stockman. +"It bore my address, and the name of my ranch here; so thinking that it +might be something more than a practical joke he concluded to journey +all the way across the country to see me. It was a mighty nice thing for +Mr. Hinchman to do, and something I am not apt to forget in a hurry, +either." + +"Then the paper interested you, dad, it seems?" Frank remarked, eagerly. + +"It certainly did, son, and I rather think you will feel the same as I +did when I tell you whose name is written at the bottom of this little +communication," the cattleman went on. + +"All right, I'm ready to hear it," Frank remarked, laughingly. + +"Felix Oswald!" replied his father, quickly. + +The boy was indeed intensely surprised, if one could judge from his +manner. + +"Your Uncle Felix, dad, who has been gone these three years, and whose +mysterious disappearance set the whole scientific world guessing. And +you say his name is there, signed to that paper found in the sealed +bottle? Well, you sure have given me a surprise. Then he's still alive?" + +"He seemed to be when he wrote this," the cattleman said, reflectively; +"but as he failed to put any date on it, we can only guess how long the +bottle has been cruising down the Colorado, sucked into eddies that +might hold it for weeks or months, until a rise in the river sent it +forth again." + +"Say, doesn't that beat everything you ever heard of, Bob?" declared +Frank, turning to his chum. + +"It certainly does," replied Bob, and then the ranchman's boy continued: + +"Perhaps you remember me telling you some things about this queer old +uncle of dad's, Bob, and how, after he had made a name for himself, he +suddenly vanished in a night, leaving word behind that he was going to +study the biggest subject any man could ever tackle. And as he didn't +want to be bothered, he said he would leave no address behind. They've +looked for him all over Europe, Asia and Africa, but he was never heard +from again. And now to think that he's sent word to dad; and in a sealed +bottle too!" + +"That looks as if he must be somewhere on the Colorado River, don't it?" +suggested Bob. + +"Undoubtedly," replied the stockman; "in fact, in this brief +communication he admits that he is located somewhere along the Grand +Canyon, in a place where travelers have as yet never penetrated. I can +only guess that Uncle Felix must have been seized with a desire to +unearth treasures that might tell the history of those strange old cliff +dwellers, who occupied much of that country as long as eight hundred +years ago. All he mentions about his hiding place is to call it Echo +Cave. You never heard of such a place, did you, Mr. Hinchman; and you've +lived on the lower river many years?" + +"I never did, Colonel," replied the man from Mohave City; "and perhaps +few people have climbed through that wonderful gash in the surface of +the Arizona desert as many times as I have." + +"In this brief note," continued Colonel Haywood, "Uncle Felix simply +says that he has become aware of the passage of time; and since his +labors are not yet completed, and he does not wish to allow his friends +to believe him dead, he has concluded to communicate with me, his +nephew. And as he knew of no other way of doing so, he resorted to the +artifice of the floating bottle." + +"Mighty considerate of him, that's sure," chuckled Frank. "Been gone now +two or three years, and suddenly remembers that there are people who +might worry about his dropping out of sight." + +"But son," remarked the stockman, "don't forget that Uncle Felix is +wrapped up in his profession, and cares very little about the ties of +this world. I know him well enough for that. But it happens, singularly +enough, that just now it is of the greatest importance he should be +found, and communicated with. I would undertake the task myself, only +for this unfortunate break that is bound to keep me laid up for another +month or two. The doctor set my leg afresh, and tells me that this time +I will really get perfectly well, given time. But it's hard to think +that my cousin Janice, his only child, will lose so great a sum if some +one fails to locate Uncle Felix, and get his signature to a paper inside +of another month." + +"Why, how is that, father?" asked Frank. + +"Circumstances have arisen that will throw a fortune into her hands;" +the stockman continued; "but the time limit approaches, and if his +signature is not forthcoming others will reap the benefit, particularly +that rascally cousin of mine, Eugene Warringford. You remember meeting +him a year ago, Frank, when he came around asking many questions, as +though he might have tracked his uncle out this way, and then lost the +trail?" + +"Why not send us, dad?" demanded Frank, standing up in front of the +stockman, with a smile of confidence on his face. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE LISTENER UNDER THE WINDOW + + +"That was what I had in mind, Frank, when I hurried Ted Conway out to +find you both," Colonel Haywood remarked, his face filled with pride and +confidence. + +"Will you let me see the note, please?" asked Bob; who expected some day +to study to be a lawyer, his father's family having had several Kentucky +judges among their number. + +Just as the owner of the ranch had said, the communication was +exceedingly brief, and to the point, not an unnecessary word having been +written. It was in pencil, and the handwriting was crabbed; just what +one might expect of an elderly man, given over heart and soul to +scientific research. + +"I suppose you know the writing well enough to feel sure this came from +your noted uncle, sir?" asked Bob, as he turned the paper over. + +"Certainly, Bob," replied the cattleman, promptly. "There is not the +least possibility of it's being a practical joke. Nobody out here knows +anything about my uncle, who disappeared so long ago. Yes, you can set +it down as positive that the letter is genuine enough. He's located +somewhere up in that most astonishing hole, the greatest wonder, most +people admit, in the entire world. But just how you two boys are ever +going to find him is another question." + +"We can try, dad; and that's all you could do if you were able to tramp. +It happens that the Grand Canyon isn't more than a hundred and thirty +miles from our ranch here, and we can ride that in a few days. How do +you feel about it, Bob?" + +"Nothing would please me better," replied the other boy, quickly, his +face lighting up with delight at the prospect of a long ride in the +saddle, to be followed by days, and perhaps weeks, of roaming through +that wonderland, where Nature had outdone all her other works in trying +to heap up astonishing surprises. + +"So far as I'm concerned," Frank went on, "I've always wanted to visit +the Grand Canyon, and meant to do it some day later on. Of course I've +seen what the little Colorado has to show, because it's only a long +day's ride off. Mr. Hinchman can, I reckon, give us some points about +the place, and maybe even mention several smaller canyons where we might +be likely to find Uncle Felix in Echo Cave." + +"Which I'll be only too happy to attempt," answered the gentleman from +Mohave City; "and as I said before, I know considerable about the +mysteries of the big hole in the desert, all of which is at your +service. Somehow, the queer way that message in the floating bottle came +to me, excited my curiosity; and I'll be satisfied if I can only have a +hand in the finding of the noted gentleman who, as your father has been +telling me, vanished in the midst of his fame." + +"And now, dad, please explain just what we are to do in case luck +follows us in our hunt, and we run across the professor," said Frank. + +"You are to explain to him that the long option which he held on that +San Bernardino mine will expire in one more month. The work had been +going on in a listless way for three years. All at once some time back +they struck a wonderfully rich lode, and vein has been followed far +enough to show that it is bound to be a record breaker." + +"That sounds great!" declared the deeply interested Bob. + +"The mine couldn't be bought for a million to-day," continued the +stockman; "and yet Uncle Felix is probably carrying around with him (for +it couldn't be found at his home) a little legal document whereby it +will become his sole property in case he chooses to plank down the +modest sum of twenty thousand dollars by the thirtieth of next month!" + +"Whew! that's going some, eh, Bob?" exclaimed Frank, with a little +whistle that accentuated his surprise. + +"Then if we are fortunate enough to find Uncle Felix before that time +has expired, what shall we do, sir?" asked the precise Bob, who was +always keeping an eye out for the legal aspect of things. + +"Coax him to accompany you to the nearest notary public, where he can +sign his acceptance of the terms under which he holds the option on the +San Bernardino. But if this happens after the thirtieth it is all wasted +energy; for at midnight of that day, I happen to know, the option +expires," the ranchman continued, somewhat impressively. + +Just as he finished speaking he suddenly turned toward the window, at +which his keen vision had caught sight of a moving shadow, as though +someone might have been crouching without, and listening. + +"Who is there at the window?" he called out, sternly. + +All eyes were turned that way. After several seconds had passed a figure +rose up, and a head was thrust through the opening. It belonged to a +dark-faced cow-puncher, named Abajo, who was supposed to be a half-breed +Mexican. Although never a favorite with the owner of the Circle Ranch, +Abajo was a first-class handler of the rope, and could ride a horse as +well as anyone. He had been employed by Colonel Haywood for half a year. +He talked "United States," as Frank was used to saying, as well as the +average cowman. But Frank had never liked the fellow. There seemed +something crafty in his ways that was foreign to the make-up of the boy. + +"It's only me, boss," said Abajo, with an attempt at a grin. "I wanted +to ask you about that job you set me on yesterday. I took Pete along, +and we found the lost bunch of stock in a valley ten mile away from +Thunder Mountain in the Fox Canyon country. Got 'em all safe in but +seven. Never seen hair nor hide of them; but after gettin' back it +struck me there was one place they might a strayed to that we didn't +look up. If so be you say the word I'll pick up Pete again, and make +another try." + +"Why, of course you had better go, Abajo," remarked the stockman, +looking keenly at the other, for he did not like the way in which the +half-breed had been apparently loitering under that open window, as +though listening to all that was passing in the room beyond. "I told you +not to draw rein till you'd found all the missing stock; or knew what +had become of them. That's all, Abajo." + +The Mexican cowboy hurried away. A minute later and they heard him +shouting to Pete; and then the clatter of horses' hoofs told that the +pair were galloping wildly across the open. + +"I wonder how much he heard?" said Frank; from which it would appear +that he also suspected the other of having spied upon them for some +purpose. + +"Much good it could have done him, even if he caught all we said," +replied his father. "Because, of course, he doesn't know anything about +Uncle Felix; and couldn't be interested in whether he is living or +dead." + +"No," remarked Mr. Hinchman, "but the mention of a mine going a-begging +that is worth a comfortable fortune, like a million or two, would +interest Abajo. I know his type pretty well, and you can rest assured +that they're always on the lookout for easy money." + +"But didn't it strike you, dad," ventured Frank, "that his excuse for +being under that window was silly?" + +"Yes, because Abajo has always been able to understand, without asking +what he should do under such conditions. He wanted some excuse for +drawing near the open window, and he found it. Perhaps he's heard +something about the coming of Mr. Hinchman here, and the queer finding +of the bottle that floated down the Colorado for one or two hundred +miles. I spoke to the foreman, Bart Heminway, about it." + +"When would you want us to make a start?" asked Bob, looking as though +he might be ready to jump into his saddle then and there. + +"Oh! there is no such rushing hurry as all that," replied the cattleman, +laughing at the eagerness of the two lads. "Your horses are a bit off, +just now, and after all that fight in the wolf den you boys need a +rest." + +"But when do we start?" asked Frank. + +"Suppose you get ready to move in the morning," Colonel Haywood replied, +after reflecting a moment. "That will give me time to write a letter to +Uncle Felix, so that you can deliver it, if you're lucky enough to find +his Echo Cave; and at the same time you can make up your packs; for you +will need blankets, and plenty of grub along." + +"Well, I reckon you're right, dad," admitted Frank; "only it seems as if +we might be losing valuable time. All the same we're going to do just +what you say. Now, if you haven't anything more to tell us, we'll just +skip out, and begin looking up some of the supplies for our campaign in +the Grand Canyon." + +"Get along with you, then," laughed the ranchman. "I want to ask Mr. +Hinchman a few more questions that have occurred to me since you came +home. And, boys, grub will be ready in a short time, now, for there's Ah +Sin stepping to the door every little while, to look around and see if +the boys are in sight. You know what that sign means." + +Frank and his chum went off, to make out a list of things they would +take along with them on the strange expedition upon which they were +about to start on the following morning. + +"What do you think of that slippery customer, Abajo?" Bob asked his +chum, as the afternoon waned, and they were sitting on the long porch of +the ranch house. + +"I've never liked him ever since he came here; but dad was in need of +help, and the half-breed certainly knows his business to a dot," replied +Frank, who was examining the new girth his chum had attached to his +saddle, mentally deciding that whatever the young Kentuckian attempted, +he did neatly and well. + +"Didn't I hear something about his being a relative to that Spanish Joe +who gave us so much trouble a little while back, on Thunder Mountain?" +Bob continued. + +"Well, I couldn't say for sure, but some say he is a nephew," Frank +answered. "Both of them have Mexican blood in their veins; and, when you +come to think of it, there is some resemblance in their faces." + +"But do you really think Abajo was listening?" the other asked. + +"It looked like it; that's as far as I've got," laughed Frank. + +"But," Bob protested, "even if he knew that there was a big fortune +connected with the paper this queer old professor carries on his person, +what good would that do Abajo?" + +Frank shrugged his broad shoulders as he replied: + +"Well, you never can tell what crazy notions some of these schemers +after a fortune will hatch up. He might make up his mind to start a +little hunt for the hermit of Echo Cave on his own hook; with the idea +of getting a transfer of that valuable paper." + +"That's a fact!" declared Bob, looking interested. "Perhaps, after all, +we won't have our work cut out for us as easy as we thought." + +"Small difference that will make," Frank went on, with a shutting of his +teeth that told of the spirit animating the boy when difficulties hove +in sight. + +"I agree with you, all right, Frank," his companion remarked. "And +perhaps it'll only make the hunt all the more interesting if we believe +we've got opposition. You know how it was when Peg Grant threw his hat +in the ring, and tried to find out what made those queer sounds in the +heart of Thunder Mountain?" + +"Sure I do," came the quick reply. "It stirred us up to doing bigger +stunts than if we'd thought we had it all our own way. Nothing like +competition to get the best out of any fellow." + +"Correct you are, Frank. But speaking of Abajo, perhaps that's him +coming back now," and as he spoke the Kentucky boy pointed across to a +point where a single rider could be seen heading for the ranch house. + +He was still far away, but the eyes of Frank Haywood were very keen. +Besides, he knew the "style" of every cowboy who was in the employ of +his father, and was able to pick them out almost as far as he could see +them. + +"You're away off there, Bob," he remarked quietly. + +"Then it isn't the half-breed?" asked his chum. + +"I know the way that chap sits in the saddle," came the reply. "Only one +man on the pay roll of Circle Ranch holds himself that way. It's Pete." + +"Pete Rawlings, the fellow who went with Abajo to round up the missing +cattle?" asked Bob. + +"He's the one," Frank went on. "And from the fact that he rides alone, I +take it he's bringing news." + +"Of the seven head of cattle that have disappeared, you mean, Frank?" + +"Perhaps. They may have found them, and Abajo is standing by, while +Pete comes in to make some sort of report. There's that rustler bunch +that comes from the other side of the Gila river once in a while, under +Pedro Mendoza, you remember. But he'll soon be on deck, and then we'll +know. Come along, Bob, and we'll let dad hear that Pete is sighted. +He'll be interested some, I reckon." + +A short time later the single rider threw himself from his saddle after +the usual impetuous manner of cowboys in general. + +"Back again, Pete; and did you see anything of that seven head?" asked +Colonel Haywood, who had come outside. + +"Ain't run across hair nor hide of 'em, Colonel," replied the squatty +cattleman, as he "waddled" up to the spot where the little group awaited +his coming; for like many of his kind, Pete was decidedly bow-legged, +possibly from riding a horse all his life; and his walk somewhat +resembled that of a sailor ashore after a long cruise. + +"Where did you leave Abajo?" asked Frank, unable to restrain his +curiosity. + +"Didn't leave him," replied the other, with a grin. "He gave me the +merry ha! ha! and said as how he reckoned he'd had enough of the old +Circle. Got his month's pay yesterday, you see, an' he's even. I +reckoned somethin' was in the wind when I seen him talkin' with that +feller." + +"Who was that, Pete?" questioned Colonel Haywood; and the prompt answer +made Frank and Bob exchange significant looks, for it seemed to voice +their worst fears. + +"A gent as you had avisitin' here some time back, Colonel. Reckon as how +he don't feel any too warm toward you, accordin' to the way he used to +bring them black brows of his'n down, when he thought you wa'n't +lookin'. And his name was Eugene Warringford." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +STARTING FOR THE GRAND CANYON + + +No one appeared to be greatly surprised at this piece of news. +Apparently it had been already discounted in the mind of Frank, his +father, and even Bob Archer. + +"So, that's the way the wind sets, is it?" remarked the colonel, +frowning. + +"Anyhow, dad, that proves one thing," declared Frank. + +"Meaning about that business of listening under the window?" observed +the owner of Circle Ranch. "It certainly does. Abajo has been in the +employ of Eugene Warringford from the start. But there must have been +some other good reason why that schemer wanted to find Uncle Felix. He +suspected that, sooner or later, the old gentleman would communicate +with me, because I used to be quite a favorite of his, years ago." + +"Yes, and he sent the half-breed here to get employment from you just to +spy around," declared Frank. "All the time he was accepting your money, +he had a regular income from Eugene." + +"Oh! well, he earned all he got here," said the ranchman, quickly. "Say +what I may about Abajo, he had no superior when it came to throwing the +rope, and rounding up a herd. Those Mexicans make the finest of cowboys. +They are at home in the saddle, every time." + +"Also in hanging around under windows, and listening to what is said," +added Frank. "As for me, I have little use for their breed. And, dad, if +ever you give me the reins here, no Mexican will ever get a job on old +Circle Ranch." + +"Well," remarked the stockman, laughing at the vigor with which his son +and heir made this assertion, "perhaps I'm leaning that way myself. +After all, there's nothing like your own kind. We don't understand these +fellows. Their ways are not the same as ours; and I reckon we puncture +their pride often enough. But there's no trouble now about understanding +why Abajo gave us the go-by to-day." + +"Huh! he had some news worth while carrying to his boss," said Frank. +"And I can just imagine how Eugene's little eyes will sparkle when he +hears about that valuable paper; eh, dad?" + +"You're right, son," the ranchman replied. "Because, it stands to reason +he couldn't know anything about it before. The mine was a dead one up +to a few months back, when that lucky-find lode was struck by accident. +Eugene will put up a big chase to find this Echo Cave, now that he knows +Uncle Felix is located somewhere in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado." + +"But it won't make a bit of difference in our plans, dad; will it?" +asked Frank. + +"That depends on you two boys. If you think you can carry the game +along, even with Eugene against you, I see no reason to make any +change," the stockman replied, with a look that spoke of much +confidence. + +The balance of the afternoon was spent in exchanging views, and much +study of the map of the famous canyon of the Colorado, which it happened +the ranch owner had in his desk. + +All sorts of theories were advanced by first one and then another of the +group. It happened that Colonel Haywood himself had never as yet paid a +visit to the strange gash in the soil of northwestern Arizona; and he +admitted the fact with a rueful face. + +"Then just as soon as you get well, dad, make up your mind you're going +to take a little vacation, and see the Grand Canyon," said Frank. "When +we come back, perhaps what we have to say will set you wild to go. And +we expect to bring news of old Uncle Felix too, if he's still in the +land of the living." + +"Let's go over that ground again," remarked Bob. + +"Now you're referring to what was said about the funny old stone +dwellings of the cliff dwellers, who used to live there centuries ago," +remarked Frank. + +"And he's right, too," declared the ranchman. "I get the point Bob +makes. It was about these wonderful people that Uncle Felix was so +deeply interested, and he made up his mind to shut himself away from all +the world, just to study up their history, as left in the holes in the +rock." + +"And it would seem to follow, then," said Bob, readily, "that he will be +found located in one of those series of terraces where these holes are +discovered. I notice that there are a number of these villages connected +with the map of the Grand Canyon; but the chances are your Uncle Felix +wouldn't take up with any where tourist travel was common." + +"Now, that sounds all right," admitted Frank. "In the first place he +would have been heard from long ago, if tourists ran across him; because +they always talk, and send their accounts to be published in the +papers." + +"Besides, these scientific men hate to be watched when they're wrapped +up in work like this. I've known a couple back in Old Kentucky," Bob +went on. + +"According to your idea, then," said the Colonel, nodding approvingly, +"this Echo Cave he mentions will prove to be some new place that the +ordinary tourist in the big canyon has never set eyes on?" + +"That's my opinion, sir," replied Bob. + +"And if that's so, then it wouldn't pay you boys to waste any time +looking into these ruins of the homes of the cliff dwellers located +around Grand View; and in Walnut Canyon, some nine miles from +Flagstaff," the ranchman continued. + +"I think we'd save more or less time that way, sir," Bob declared. + +"And you still want to go on horseback; when you might reach the +railroad, and take a train, easily enough?" asked Colonel Haywood. + +The boys exchanged glances. They were wedded to the saddle, and disliked +the idea of leaving their favorite steeds behind them when embarking on +this new venture. + +"We've picked out the trail we expect to follow, dad," Frank said, +pleadingly; "and it seems to run pretty smooth, with only a few +mountains to cross, and a couple of rivers to ford. If you don't object +seriously, Bob and I would prefer to go mounted." + +"Oh! as far as that goes, I don't blame you, boys," the stockman +hastened to say in reply; for he could understand the yearning one feels +for a favorite horse; and how a seat in the saddle seems to be the +finest thing in the world. + +"Thank you, dad!" exclaimed Frank. "I reckoned that you'd talk that way. +Somehow or other I just don't feel more'n half myself out of the saddle. +And when we start to go down into the canyon we can find some place to +leave our mounts where they'll be 'tended decently enough." + +Ah Sin, the Chinese cook of the ranch, who generally accompanied the +boys when the whole outfit went on the grand round-up, with the mess +wagon in attendance, now came outdoors, and beat his gong to announce +dinner. + +The cowboys were not far away, awaiting the summons with the customary +range appetites held in check; and when they were seated at the table +they presented a merry crowd. Frank's mother happened to be visiting +East at this time. He had a maiden aunt, however, who looked after the +household duties, and sat at the end of the long table to pour the +coffee. + +Of course there was more or less talk about the sudden flitting of the +half-breed, Abajo. Nobody had any regrets, for he had never been liked. +And there were several who secretly felt pleased, because they had +happened to quarrel with the dark-skinned Mexican at different times, +and did not altogether fancy the way he had of scowling, while his +finger felt the edge of the knife he carried in his gay sash, after the +manner of his countrymen. + +Colonel Haywood did not see fit to explain the real cause for the going +of Abajo, except to his foreman, Bart Heminway. But during the evening, +when Frank and Bob were making up their packs so as to get an early +start in the morning, the ranch owner might have been seen in earnest +consultation with the foreman. + +Presently Bart went out, to return with Old Hank Coombs, and another +cowman known as Chesty Lane; who had of course received this name on +account of the way he thrust out his figure, rather than from any +inclination on his part to boast of his wonderful deeds. + +"Chesty tells me, Colonel," said Bart, "that he used to be a guide in +this same Grand Canyon, years ago. I never knowed it 'till right to-day. +And if so be you intend to send Old Hank up thar to keep tabs on the +doings of that ugly pair, Abajo and Warringford, thar couldn't be a +better man to pick out than Chesty. You can depend on him every time." + +Then followed another conference, of which the two boys, wrapped up in +their own plans in another room, were of course entirely ignorant. + +It was decided, however, that the two cowmen should wait until the boys +were well on their way. Then, supplied with ample funds, they could +ride to the nearest station, meet the first train bound north, and be +at Flagstaff before night came around. + +In this way the Colonel figured that he was safeguarding the interests +of Bob and Frank. Already had he begun to regret allowing them to go, +and if it had not been for the high regard he had for his word, once +given, he might have backed down. However, perhaps the sending of Hank +and his companion might answer the purpose, and prove a valuable move. + +The night passed, and with early dawn there was a stir all about Circle +Ranch. + +Every cowboy on the place accompanied Frank and Bob several miles on +their long journey, every fellow wishing he had been asked to join them +for the adventure. And when Bart Hemingway gave the word to turn back, +the entire group waved their hats, and cheered as long as the two lads +remained within hearing. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +BUCKSKIN ON GUARD + + +"A good day's ride, all right, Bob!" + +"You never said truer words, Frank. And now, with night setting in, how +far do you think we've covered since the start this morning?" + +The Kentucky boy sat in his saddle with a slight show of weariness, +which was not to be wondered at, considering the steadiness with which +they had kept on the move, hour after hour, heading in a general +Westerly direction. + +The satin skin of Domino was flecked with foam. Even the tough little +Buckskin mount of Frank showed signs of weariness; though ready to keep +on if his master gave the word. + +"That would be hard to tell," replied the rancher's son; "but it must be +all of sixty-five miles, I reckon." + +"Then that beats my record some," declared the other. + +"But it was a glorious gallop all the way through," asserted Frank. + +"That's what; and more to follow to-morrow," his chum hastened to +remark. + +"But a different kind of travel, the chances are, Bob. To-day it +happened that we were crossing the great mesa, and it was like a floor +for being level. Over yonder, ahead, you can see the mountains we must +cross. Then there are rivers to ford or swim. Yes, variety is the spice +of life; and unless I miss my guess we're due for a big change +to-morrow." + +"Think we can make Flagstaff by to-morrow night?" asked the Kentucky +lad, who, at a time like this, seemed to depend very much upon the +superior knowledge of his chum, who had been brought up on the plains. + +"We're going to make a try; that's as far as I've got," laughed Frank. +"But what about camping here?" + +"As good as anywhere," answered Bob. "Fact is, I'm admitting to being +ready to drop down in any old place, so long as I can stretch my legs, +and roll. No wonder a horse likes to turn over as soon as you take the +saddle off. Shall we call it a go, Frank?" + +The other jumped to the ground. Bob thought he heard him give a little +grunt in doing so; but just then he was interested in repressing his own +feelings. + +However, when they had moved about somewhat, both boys confessed to +feeling considerably better. As for the horses, there was no danger of +their straying after that gallop of many hours in the hot sun. They took +their roll, and then began hunting for stray tufts of grass among the +buffalo berry bushes. + +The sun had already set, and twilight told of the coming night. Around +them lay the mesa, with the mountains cropping up like a crust along the +edge. It was a familiar scene, to Frank in particular, and one of which +he never tired. + +"I noticed some jack rabbits as we came along," remarked Bob, "and as +they always come out of their burrows about dusk to play, suppose I try +and knock over a couple right now." + +"Wouldn't object myself to a good dinner of rabbit, after that ride," +Frank admitted, as he proceeded to get the little tent in position, a +task that was only a pleasure to a boy fond of all outdoors. + +So Bob immediately sauntered off toward the spot where he had noticed +the long-eared animals, calculated to make a good meal for hungry +campers. + +"I heard gophers whistling," called out Frank, "and that means there's a +village somewhere close by. Keep your eyes out for the rattlers; they +are always found where prairie dogs live." + +"I never forget that, Frank," came back from the disappearing hunter. + +Frank went on with his preparations. A fire would be necessary, if they +expected to cook fresh meat; and it is not always an easy thing to have +such when out on the open plain or mesa. But Frank had already sighted a +supply of fuel sufficient for their needs and it was indeed next door to +a miracle to find the dead branch of a pine tree here, far away from the +mountains, where the nearest trees seemed to grow. + +"I reckon it was just lifted up in some little tornado, and carried +through the air, just to land where we needed it," he remarked, as he +dragged the log closer to where he had quickly put up the tent; and then +began chopping at it with his little camp hatchet. + +As he worked there came a quick report from a point not far away. + +"That means one jack," he remarked, raising his head to listen; but to +his surprise no second shot followed. + +"Well, if he hopes to get a pair, he'll have to hurry up his cakes," +Frank went on; "because the night's settling down on us fast. But then +one will give us a taste all around, and help out." + +It was some little time before he heard Bob coming, and then the +Kentuckian seemed to be walking rather unsteadily. Frank jumped to his +feet, with the suspicion that possibly after all Bob had met with a +misfortune. In the minute of time that he was waiting for his chum to +appear, a number of things flashed through his head to give him +uneasiness. + +Had Bob been unlucky enough to run across one of those aggressive little +prairie rattlesnakes after all? Could he have wounded himself in any way +when he fired his repeating rifle? Neither of these might prove to be +the case; and yet Bob was certainly staggering as he came along. + +Now he could be seen by the light of the little fire. Frank stared, for +his chum was certainly bending over, as though bearing a load. He had +heard no outcry that would signify the presence of others in the +neighborhood. Ah! surely those were the long slender legs of an antelope +which Bob gripped in front of him. + +"Bully for you!" exclaimed Frank. "Where under the sun did you run +across that fine game? Say, you sure take the cake, stepping out just to +knock over a couple of long-ears; and then coming back ten minutes later +with a fine antelope on your back. How did you do it, Bob?" + +"I don't know," laughed the other. "Happened to start up against the +wind, and was creeping up behind some buffalo berry bushes to see if +there were any jack rabbits beyond, when this little fellow jumped to +his feet. Why he didn't light out when we came along, I never could tell +you." + +"Oh! he just knew we wanted a good supper, I reckon," Frank remarked. +"And now to get busy." + +It did not take them long to cut some choice bits from the antelope, +which they began to cook at the fire, thrusting the meat through with +long splinters of wood, which in turn were held in a slanting position +in the ground. When one part gave evidence of being browned the novel +spit was turned until all sides had been equally served. + +"Remember the way Old Hank showed us how to toll antelope for a shot, +when you can't find cover to get near enough?" asked Frank, as they sat +there, disposing of their supper, with the satisfaction hunger always +brings in its train. + +"You mean with the red handkerchief waved over the top of a bush?" Bob +went on. "Hank said there never was a more curious little beast than an +antelope. If he didn't have a red rag a white one would do. Once he said +he just lay down on his back and kicked his heels in the air. The game +ran away, but came back; and each time just a little bit closer, till +Hank could fire, and get his supper. I've done something the same for +ducks, in a marsh back home, trying to draw their attention to the +decoys I had out." + +A small stream ran near by, at which the boys and horses had quenched +their thirst. Sometimes its gentle murmur floated to their ears as they +sat there, chatting, and wondering whether their mission to the Grand +Canyon was destined to bear fruit or not. + +"I can get the smell of some late wild roses," remarked Frank. "And it +isn't often that you find such things up on one of these high mesas, or +table lands. Do you know, I rather imagine this used to be a favorite +stamping ground for buffalo in those good old days when herds of tens of +thousands could be met with, rolling like the waves of a sea over the +plains." + +"What makes you think so?" asked Bob, always seeking information. + +"The grass, for one thing," came the reply. "Then I noticed quite a few +old sun-burned remnants of skulls as we came along. The bone hunter +didn't gather his crop in this region, that means. Besides, didn't you +see all those queer little indentations that looked as though they might +have been pools away back years ago?" + +"Sure, I did; and wondered whatever could have made them," Bob admitted. + +"I may be wrong," Frank continued; "but somehow I've got an idea that +those must be what they used to call buffalo wallows. Anyhow, that +doesn't matter to us. We've made a good day of it; found a jim-dandy +place for a camp; got some juicy fresh meat; and to-morrow we hope to +land in Flagstaff." + +"And what then?" queried Bob. + +"We'll decide that while we ride along to-morrow," Frank answered. +"Perhaps it may seem better that we leave our horses there, and take the +train for the Grand Canyon; though I'm inclined to make another day of +it, and follow the old wagon trail over the mesa, and through the pine +forest past Red Butte, to Grand View." + +"Listen to Buckskin snorting; what d'ye suppose ails him?" asked Bob, as +his chum stopped speaking. + +"I was just going to say that myself," remarked Frank, putting out his +hand for his rifle; and at the same time scattering the brands of the +dying fire so that darkness quickly fell upon the spot. + +"Too late, I'm afraid," muttered Bob. + +"Seems like it, because the horses are sure coming straight for us," +said Frank; "but there are many people moving around in this section, +and perhaps some tenderfeet from the East have lost themselves, and +would be glad of a chance to sit by our blaze and taste antelope meat, +fresh where it is grown. Step back, Bob, and let's wait to see what +turns up!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +STANDING BY THE LAW + + +"What had we ought to do?" asked Bob. + +"They must have seen our fire, and that's what made them head this way. +So, all we can do is to wait, and see what they want," replied Frank. + +"But there don't seem to be many in the party," his chum went on. + +"I think not more than two, Bob." + +"You can tell from the beat of their horses' hoofs--is that it?" +inquired the boy who wanted to learn. + +"Yes, it's easy enough, Bob." + +By this time the sounds had grown quite loud, and both boys strained +their eyes, trying to locate the approaching horsemen. In the old days +on the plains every stranger was deemed an enemy until he had proven +himself a friend. Nowadays it is hardly so positive as that; but +nevertheless those who are wise take no chances. + +"I see them!" Bob announced; but although the other saddle boy had not +said so, he had picked up the advancing figures several seconds before. + +"One thing sure," remarked Frank, as though relieved, "I reckon they +can't be horse thieves or cattle rustlers." + +"You mean they wouldn't be so bold about coming forward?" ventured Bob. + +"That's about the size of it; but we'll soon know," Frank went on. + +As the strangers drew rapidly nearer he began to make out their "style" +for the night was not intensely dark. And somehow Frank's curiosity +increased in bounds. He discovered no signs of the customary cowboy +outfit about them. They wore garments that savored of civilization, and +sat their horses with the air of men accustomed to much riding. + +"Hold hard there, strangers; or you'll be riding us down!" Frank sang +out, as the newcomers loomed up close at hand. + +At that the others drew rein, and brought their horses to a halt. +Bending low in the saddle they seemed to be peering at the dimly-seen +figures of the two boys. + +"Who is it--speak quick!" one of the strangers said; and Frank believed +he heard a suspicious click accompanying the thrilling words. + +"Two boys bound for Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon," he answered, not +wishing to take any unnecessary chances. + +"Where from, and what's your names?" continued the other, in his +commanding voice, that somehow told Frank he must be one accustomed to +demanding obedience. + +The ranch boy no longer felt any uneasiness. He believed that these men +were not to be feared. + +"I am the son of Colonel Haywood, owner of the Circle Ranch; and this is +my chum, Bob Archer, a Kentucky boy," he said, boldly. + +Then the other man, who as yet had not spoken, took occasion to remark: + +"'Taint them, after all, Stanwix! Perhaps we've been following the wrong +trail." + +The name gave Frank an idea. He had heard more or less about the doings +of a sheriff in a neighboring county, called Yavapai, and his name was +the same as that mentioned by the second dimly seen rider. + +"Are you gentlemen from Prescott?" he asked. + +"That's where I hold out when I'm home," replied the one who had asked +about their identity. + +"Are you Sheriff Stanwix?" pursued the boy, while his companion almost +held his breath in suspense. + +"I am; and this is Hand, who holds the same office in this county of +Coconino," replied the other, as he threw a leg over his saddle as +though about to dismount. + +Both of them joined the boys, leaving their horses to stand with the +bridles thrown over their heads, cowboy fashion. + +Frank meanwhile had picked up some small fuel, and thrown it on the +still smouldering fire. It immediately started up into a blaze that +continued to increase. + +They could now see that their visitors were two keen-eyed men. The +evidence of their calling lay in the stars that decorated their left +breasts. Both looked as though they could hold their own against odds. +And of course they were armed as became their dangerous profession. + +Bob was especially interested. He had never really had anything to do +with an officer of the law; and surveyed the pair with all the ardor of +boyish curiosity. + +To see one sheriff was a treat; but to have two drop down upon them +after this fashion must be an event worth remembering. + +"We had the good luck to knock over a young antelope just before dark," +Frank remarked, after each of the men had insisted in gravely shaking +hands with both himself and Bob. "Perhaps you haven't had any supper, +and wouldn't mind taking pot luck with us?" + +"How about that, Hand?" questioned the taller man, turning with a laugh +to the second sheriff. + +"Just suits me," came the reply, as the speaker threw himself down on +the hard ground. "Half an hour's rest will do the hosses some good, +too." + +"Thank you, boys, we accept, and with pleasure," Mr. Stanwix went on, +turning again toward Frank. + +Bob immediately got busy, and started to cut further bits from the +carcase of his small antelope. There would be plenty for even the +healthy appetites of the two officers, and then leave enough for the +boys' breakfast. + +"We're in something of a hurry to get on to Flagstaff ourselves, boys," +the Yavapai sheriff remarked, as he sniffed the cooking venison with +relish; "but the temptation to hold over a bit is too strong. You see, +Hand and myself have just made up our minds to bag our birds this trip, +no matter where it takes us, or how long we're on the job." + +"Then you're after some cattle rustlers or bad men, I reckon," Frank +remarked. + +"A couple of the worst scoundrels ever known around these diggings," +replied the officer. "They've been jumping from one county into another, +when pushed; and in the end Hand, here, and myself concluded we'd just +join our forces. We've got a posse to the south, and another working to +the north; but we happened to strike the trail of our birds just before +dusk, and we've been following it in hopes of reaching Flagstaff before +they can get down into the gash, and hide." + +"A trail, you say?" Frank observed. "Could it have been the one I've +been following just out of curiosity, and because it seemed to run in +the very direction my chum and myself were bound?" + +"That's just what it was, Frank," the sheriff answered, as he accepted +the hot piece of browned venison, stick and all, which Bob was holding +out. "We saw that there had come into the trail the marks of two new +hosses; and naturally enough we got the idea that it might mean our men +were being followed by a couple of their own kind." + +"Then when you saw our little fire, you thought we were the kind of +steers you wanted to round up?" the boy asked. + +"Oh! well," Mr. Stanwix replied with a little chuckle; "we kept a touch +on our irons when I was asking you who you were; and if the reply hadn't +been all that it was, I reckon we'd have politely asked you to throw up +your hands, boys. But say, this meat is prime, and seems to go to the +spot." + +"I don't know which spot you mean, Stanwix," remarked the other officer, +who was also munching away like a half-starved man; "but mine suits me +all right. I'm right glad we stopped. The rest will tone the nags up for +a long pull; and as for me, I'll be in great shape after this feed." + +Bob was kept busy cooking more and more, for the two men seemed to +realize, after once getting a taste, that they were desperately hungry. +But he did it with pleasure. There was something genial about the manner +of Mr. Stanwix that quite captured the heart of the Kentucky lad. He +knew the tall man could be as gentle as a woman, if the occasion ever +arose when he had a wounded comrade to nurse; and if his reputation did +not speak wrongly his courage was decidedly great. + +While they sat there the two men talked of various subjects. Frank was +curious to know something about those whom they were now banded together +in a determined effort to capture, and so Mr. Stanwix told a few +outlines of the case. + +The men were known as the Arizona Kid and Big Bill Guffey. They had been +cattlemen, miners, and about every other thing known to the Southwest. +By degrees they had acquired the reputation of being bad men; and all +sorts of lawless doings were laid at their door. And finally it came to +defying the sheriff, evading capture by flitting to another county, and +playing a game of hide-and-seek, until their bold methods were the talk +of the whole country. + +Then it was the Coconino sheriff had conceived the idea of an alliance +with his brother officer in the adjoining county, of which the thriving +city of Prescott was the seat of government. + +Frank even had Mr. Stanwix describe the two men whom the officers were +pursuing. + +"We expect to be around the Grand Canyon for some weeks," the lad +remarked; "and it might be we'd run across these chaps. To know who they +were, would be putting us on our guard, and besides, perhaps we might be +able to get notice to you, sir." + +"That sounds all right, Frank," the other had hastened to reply; "and +believe me, I appreciate your friendly feelings. It's the duty of all +good citizens to back up the man they've put in office, when he's trying +to free the community of a bad crowd." + +Then he explained just how they might get word to him in case they had +anything of importance to communicate. Although the Tarapai sheriff knew +nothing about wireless telegraphy, he did understand some of the methods +which savage tribes in many countries use in order to send news hundreds +of miles; sometimes by a chain of drums stationed on the hill tops miles +apart; or it may be by the waving of a red flag. + +"And I want to tell you, Frank," Mr. Stanwix concluded, "if so be you +ever do have occasion to send me that message, just make up your minds +that I'll come to you on the jump, with Hand at my heels. But for your +own sakes I hope you won't run across these two hard cases. We've got +an idea that they mean to do some hold-up game in the Grand Canyon, +where hundreds of rich travelers gather. And if luck favors us we expect +to put a spoke in their wheel before they run far!" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE MOQUI WHO WAS CAUGHT NAPPING + + +Sheriff Stanwix arose with a sigh. + +"Reckon we'd better be moving on, Hand," he said, evidently with +reluctance; for it was very pleasant sitting there, taking his ease +beside the camp fire of the two boys; but when duty called this man +never let anything stand in the way. + +Their horses had not strayed far away. Like most animals they had sought +the company of their kind, as various sounds indicated, Buckskin +doubtless showing his prairie strain by sundry nips with his teeth at +the strangers. + +Another shake of hands all around; then the sheriffs threw themselves +into their saddles, and were off. The last the two lads saw of them was +when their figures were swallowed up in the night-mists; and then it was +a friendly wave of the arm that told how much they had appreciated the +hospitality of the saddle boys. + +"Well, anyhow, it doesn't seem quite so lonely out here, after all," +said Frank, laughing, as he and his chum settled down again. + +"Why, no," added Bob, "I thought we owned the whole coop; but I take it +back. There are others abroad, it seems." + +"I only hope those two fly-by-night birds don't take a notion to double +on their trail, and come back to pay us a visit," Frank remarked; and of +course Bob understood that he meant the bad men who were being rounded +up by Sheriff Stanwix, aided by the official of Coconino County. + +"Perhaps we'd better douse the glim, then?" Bob suggested. + +"Let it burn out," Frank remarked; "I don't believe there's much chance +of anybody else seeing it now; because it's pretty low. Our tent shows +up about as plain, come to think of it; but I don't mean to do without +shelter." + +They sat there, chatting on various subjects, for some time. Of course +their mission to the region of the greatest natural wonder in the world +took a leading part in this conversation. But then they also spoke of +their recent visitors; and as Bob showed signs of considerable interest, +Frank told all he had ever heard about the valor of the Prescott +sheriff. + +"I don't know how you feel about it, Bob," he said, at length, with a +yawn, "but I'm getting mighty sleepy." + +"Same here; and I move we turn in," Bob immediately replied. + +Accordingly, as the idea had received unanimous approval, they took a +look at the horses, now staked out with the ropes, and, finding them +comfortable, both boys crawled under the canvas. + +Some hours later they were aroused suddenly by a shrill yell. As they +sat up, and groped for their rifles, not realizing what manner of peril +could be hanging over them, the loud snorting of the horses came to +their ears. + +"Come on!" exclaimed Frank, in considerable excitement. "Sounds like +somebody might be bothering our mounts!" + +Bob had not been so very long in the Western country; but he knew what +that meant all right. Horses were supposed to be the most valuable +possessions among men who spent their lives on the great plains and +deserts of this region. In the old days it was deemed a capital crime to +steal horses. + +So Bob, shivering with excitement, but not fear, hastened to follow at +the heels of his chum, as Frank hastily crawled out of the tent. + +A rather battered looking moon was part way up in the Eastern heavens. +Though the light she gave was none of the best, still, to the boys, +coming from the interior of the tent, it seemed quite enough to enable +them to see their way about, and even distinguish objects at a little +distance. + +Frank lost no time heading in the direction where he knew the horses had +been staked out. + +"Anyhow, they don't seem to have got them yet," remarked Bob, gleefully, +as the sound of prancing and snorting came to their ears louder than +ever. + +Frank stopped for a couple of seconds to listen. + +"Buckskin is carrying on something fierce," he muttered. "He seems to be +furiously mad, too. Perhaps, after all, it may be a bear sniffing +around; though I'd never expect to find such a thing out here, so far +away from the mountains." + +He again started on, with Bob close at his elbow. The words of his chum +had given the Kentucky lad new cause for other thrills. What if it +should prove to be a grizzly bear? He had had one experience with such a +monster, and was not particularly anxious for another, not being in the +big game class. + +Now they were approaching the spot where the two roped horses were +jumping restlessly about, making queer sounds that could only indicate +alarm. + +Frank spoke to his animal immediately, thinking to reassure him. + +"Easy now, Buckskin; what's making you act this way? I don't see any +enemy. If you've given a false alarm, it'll sure be for the first time!" + +"Frank!" ventured the other lad, just then. + +"What is it, Bob?" + +"I thought I heard a low groan!" continued the Kentucky boy, in awed +tones. + +"You did?" ejaculated Frank, quickly. "Have you any idea where it came +from?" + +As if to make it quite unnecessary for Bob to reply, there came just +then a low but distinct grunt or groan. Frank could not tell which. + +"Over this way, Frank; he's in this direction!" exclaimed the impulsive +Bob, as he started to move off. + +"Wait a minute," said the practical and cautious Frank. "You never know +what sort of game you're up against, around here. Some of these horse +thieves can toll a fellow away from his camp to beat the band, while a +mate gets off with the saddle band. I've been warned against that very +sort of play. Go slow, Bob, and keep a finger on your trigger, I tell +you." + +They advanced slowly, looking all around in the dim moonlight. Twice +more the strange sounds arose. Frank jumped to the conclusion that it +was, after all, no attempt to draw them farther and farther away from +the tent; because the groans seemed to come from the one spot, instead +of gradually moving off in a tempting manner. + +"Here he is, Bob!" he said, presently; and the other, looking, saw a +huddled-up figure lying upon the ground in the midst of the low buffalo +berry bushes. + +Immediately they were bending over the form, which had moved at their +approach. + +"Why, it's an Indian, Frank!" cried Bob, in surprise. + +"Yes, and unless I miss my guess, a Moqui Indian at that," Frank +replied. "Three of them wandered down our way once, and gave us some +interesting exhibitions of their customs. You know their home is up to +the north. They are said to be the descendants of the old cliff dwellers +who made all those holes high up in the rocks, to keep out of the reach +of enemies." + +He was bending down over the other even while saying this; and feeling +to see if the Indian could have been wounded in any way. + +"What seems to be the matter with him, Frank?" asked Bob, when this +thing had been going on for a full minute, the stricken man grunting, +and Frank appearing to continue his investigations. + +"I tell you what," Frank remarked, presently; "I honestly believe he's +been kicked by the heels of my sassy little Buckskin; perhaps he's badly +hurt; and then again, he may only have had the wind knocked out of him. +That horse is as bad as any mule you ever saw, when it comes to planting +his heels." + +"But what was he prowling around the camp for?" asked Bob, who had a +hazy idea concerning the red men of the West, gained perhaps from early +reading of the attacks on the wagon trains of the pioneers of the +prairie. + +"Oh! these Moqui Indians wouldn't do a white man any harm, unless they +happened to take too much juice of the agave plant, in the shape of +mescal," Frank hastened to say; "and I don't seem to get the smell of +that stuff. So the chances are that he had something of an eye to our +horses." + +"And as he didn't know about Buckskin's ways he gave the little pony a +chance to get in some dents. But he may be badly hurt, Frank," Bob went +on, his natural kindness of heart cropping up above any feeling of +animosity he might have experienced. + +"I suppose, then, we'll just have to tote the beggar to the tent, and +start up that fire again, while we look him over. If those hind feet +came slap against his ribs, the chances are we'll find a few of them +broken." + +Swinging their rifles into one hand they managed to take hold of the +grunting Moqui, and in this primitive fashion began hauling him along. +Buckskin continued to prance and snort as though demanding whether he +had not amply fulfilled his duty as guardian to the camp; but no one +paid the least attention to him just then. Arriving at the tent the +boys proceeded to rekindle the fire. + +"Why, he's coming to, Frank!" exclaimed Bob, as, having finished his +task, he turned to see his chum bending over the victim of Buckskin's +hoofs, and noted that the would-be horse thief was struggling to sit up. + +"I don't believe he's hurt very bad," Frank declared. "I've felt all +over his body, and don't seem to find any signs of broken bones." + +"Listen to him gasp right now, as if the breath had been knocked out of +him," remarked Bob. "He's going to speak, Frank, sure he is. I wonder +can we understand what he says. Moqui wasn't included in my education at +the Military Institution at Frankfort." + +The Indian was indeed trying to get enough air in his lungs to enable +him to say something. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +"TALK ABOUT LUCK!" + + +"No hurt Havasupai!" was what he managed to say, hoarsely. + +"We're not going to hurt you, old man," remarked Frank; for he had seen +that the Indian was no stripling. "What we want to know is, how you came +to get so close to the heels of my horse as to be kicked? Tell us that, +Havasupai, if you please." + +There was no answer, although twice the exhausted red man opened his +lips as if to speak. + +"That knocks the props out from under him, Frank," remarked Bob; +"because he was bent on getting away with one or both mounts." + +"How about that, Havasupai; weren't you thinking of stealing a horse, +when that animal just keeled you over so neatly?" Frank demanded. + +The Indian was sitting up now. His head was hanging low on his chest. +Perhaps it was shame that caused this: or it might have been a desire to +keep his face hidden from the searching eyes of the white boys. + +Then, as though realizing the utter folly of denying what must appear so +evident, he nodded his head slowly. + +"It is true, white boy," he muttered, in fair English. "Havasupai meant +to take a horse. He had looked upon the man who beckons, and he was +afraid, because he had trouble at his village. He believed every man's +hand was against him. And so he would flee to the desert where the white +man's big medicine would not find him. There he might die with the +poison snakes and the whooping birds." + +Bob was of course puzzled by some of the things the Indian said. + +"What does he mean, Frank?" he asked. + +"I take it the warrior has been in some sort of fuss at his village," +the other replied. "Perhaps he even struck his chief in anger, and that +made an offense punishable with death. These Moqui Indians are a queer +lot, anyhow, I've heard. Then he must have skipped out, and by accident +seeing our friend, Sheriff Stanwix, known to him as the 'man who +beckons,' he just imagined they were looking for him." + +"And that locoed him so much that he just couldn't stand it any longer," +Bob said. "Discovering our camp he got the notion in his head that a +horse might take him out of the danger zone. So he was in the act of +jumping on one of our mounts when your clever little beast took a hand, +or rather a hoof, in the matter. But do you know what he means by +whooping birds?" + +"Well, I can give a guess," replied Frank. "That must mean the little +owl that lives with the prairie dogs in their holes, along with the +poison snake, otherwise the rattler." + +"Looks like we've just got our hands full to-night, Frank!" + +"You're right, Bob. First we feed two hungry sheriffs, and pick up quite +a little news about the bad men they're looking for. Next, along comes +this Moqui, Havasupai he says his name is, and he gets in a bad fix by +trying to run off our horses; and feeling sorry for the old chap we lug +him to our tent, and look him over, ready to even bind up his wounds, if +he has any." + +"Getting to be a habit, isn't it, Frank?" + +"Seems like it," returned the taller boy, as he once more turned toward +the seated Indian. "Here, can you tell us where my horse kicked you?" + +"It matters not much. Havasupai get what he needs because he try to +steal horse from good white boys," came the humble reply. + +"One thing sure," remarked Frank aside to his chum, "he's been in touch +with the whites a heap, or he wouldn't know how to talk as he does. But +then, that isn't so queer. You know that these Moquis pick up a lot of +good coin from the travelers who come and go at the Grand Canyon." + +"Why, yes," Bob went on to say, "I've always heard that one of the +sights of this wonderland was the snake dance of the Moquis. I read an +account of it in a magazine once. It said that hundreds of people +gathered from many quarters to be on hand and see it, because it occurs +only once a year. Some of them were big guns in science, too." + +"They're getting more and more interested in these Indians of the +Southwest," Frank continued; "and trying all the time to find out just +where they fit in the long-ago past. That's what made old Uncle Felix, +who had already made a name for himself, give up his happy home, and +hide all these months down here. He wants to learn the long-buried +secrets of the past history of the Zunis, the Moquis, and other tribes +that might have sprung from the old cliff builders." + +"But what can we do with this fellow, Frank?" + +"Oh! well, nothing much, I reckon," the other answered, carelessly. "He +must have been plum locoed at seeing the sheriff, and hardly knew what +he was doing when he set out to grab Buckskin. We'll just have to let +him sleep here till morning, and then give him a bite of breakfast." + +"Just as you say, Frank; you ought to know what's best," Bob hastened to +declare. "Now I wonder what'll be the next thing on the programme? I +hope we don't have the two men the sheriff is hunting, drop in to make +us a call." + +"Little danger of that now," Frank remarked reassuringly. "By this time +they're well on their way to Flagstaff. Here, Havasupai, as you call +yourself; we don't mean to do you any harm, even if you did play us a +mean trick when you tried to steal a mount. Understand?" + +The old Indian looked up at Frank through his masses of coarse black +hair, just beginning to be streaked with gray. + +"Not do any harm," he repeated, as though hardly able to grasp the +meaning of the words Frank spoke; then his brown face lighted up with a +grim smile. "White boys good; Havasupai glad him not take horse. Bad +Indian! But not always that way; him carry speaking paper tell how make +good," and he thumped his breast as he said this. + +Again did Bob's eyes seek the face of his chum in a questioning manner. +Frank, having been raised amid such scenes, could more readily +understand what the Moqui meant when he referred to certain things which +Bob had never heard mentioned before. + +"He means that he's got a letter of recommendation along with him, +written by some tourist, I reckon. Perhaps this old fellow may have +found a chance to do some one a good turn. He may have run across a +greenhorn wandering on the desert; saved a fellow who had been stabbed +by the fangs of a viper from the Gila; or helped him to camp when he +broke a leg in climbing around the Grand Canyon." + +"Oh! I see what you mean, Frank; that this party wrote out a +recommendation to all concerned, stating that in his opinion Havasupai +was a fine fellow, and worth trusting. But then that was before he got +into this trouble at this village. If he's a fugitive from justice at +the hands of his own tribe, such a paper isn't worth much, I guess." + +"No more it isn't," agreed Frank. + +"But all the same he means to stick us with it," chuckled Bob; "for you +can see he's got his hand in his shirt right now, as if searching for +something so valuable that he won't even carry it in his ditty bag." + +"That's right, Bob." + +"And now he's got in touch with that old letter," grunted Bob. "I +suppose we'll just have to read it to please him." + +"You can if you care to," remarked Frank. "As for me, I'm that sleepy I +only want a chance to crawl back into the tent, and take up my +interrupted nap where it broke off." + +"But good gracious! do you really mean it?" exclaimed the puzzled Bob. + +"Why not?" demanded his chum. + +"And leave him loose here, with the horses close by?" Bob went on, +aghast. + +At that Frank laughed a little. + +"Well," he said, drily; "so far as the horses are concerned, I reckon +our old friend Havasupai will go a long way on foot before he ever tries +to steal a promising looking pony again. As long as he lives he'll +remember how it feels to get a pair of hoofs fairly planted against his +back. So long, Bob. Tell the old fraud he can lie down anywhere he +pleases, and share our breakfast in the morning." + +"That's the way you rub it in, Frank; returning evil with good," the +Kentucky boy remarked. "But since you want me to take him in hand, I'll +be the victim, and read his letter of recommendation, though I can +already guess what it will say." + +The old Moqui had meanwhile succeeded in getting out the paper which he +seemed to set so much store by. Looking up, and seeing that Frank had +turned away, he offered it to Bob, who took it gravely, and proceeded to +hold it so that the light of the little fire would fall upon the +writing. + +Frank was half way in the tent when he heard his chum give utterance to +a shout. He backed out again, and turning, looked hastily, half +expecting to see Bob engaged in a tussle with the old Indian. + +Nothing of the sort met his gaze. The Moqui was sitting there, staring +at Bob, who had straightened up, and was starting to dance around, +holding the paper in his extended hand. + +"What ails you, Bob?" demanded the other. "Haven't been taken with a +sudden pain, after all that venison you stowed away, I hope." + +"Come out here, Frank!" called the lad by the fire. "Of all the luck! to +think we'd strike such a piece as this! It's rich! It's the finest ever! +We go to hunt for clues, and here they come straight to us. Talk to me +about the favors of fortune, why, we're in it up to the neck!" + +"You seem to be tickled about something, Bob; has that paper any +connection with it?" demanded Frank. + +"Well I should say, yes, by a big jugfull," replied the Kentucky boy. +"And you'll agree with me when I tell you it's signed by Professor Felix +Oswald, the very man we're going to search the Grand Canyon up and down +to find!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE COPPER COLORED MESSENGER + + +"Do you really mean it, Bob?" asked Frank, with the bewildered air of +one who suspects a joke. + +"Take it yourself, and see," replied the other, holding out the +discolored and wrinkled sheet on which the writing was still plainly to +be read. + +Frank bent over, the better to allow the firelight to fall upon the +queer document. This was what he read in a rather crabbed hand, though +the writing could be read fairly well: + +_"To Whom it May Concern; Greeting!_ + +"This is to certify to the good character of the bearer, a Moqui Indian +by the name of Havasupai, who has rendered me a very great service, +which proves him to be the friend of the white man, and a believer in +the pursuit of science. I cheerfully recommend him to all who may be in +need of a trustworthy and capable guide to the Grand Canyon. + +"PROFESSOR OSWALD." + +Frank looked up to see the grinning face of his chum thrust close to +him. + +"Think it's genuine, Frank?" demanded the other. + +"I can see no reason why it shouldn't be," answered the other, glancing +down again at the crumpled paper he held, and which the old Moqui was +regarding with the greatest of pride on his brown face. + +"Looks like that paper Mr. Hinchman brought to my dad; yes, I'd stake my +word on it, Bob, that the same hand wrote both." + +"But how d'ye suppose this greasy old Indian ever got the document?" +asked the young Kentuckian. + +"We'll have to put it up to him, and find out," came the reply. "He can +speak United States all right; we've found that out already; and so you +see, there's no reason under the sun why he shouldn't want to tell us." + +He turned to the Moqui. It was not the same sleepy boy apparently who, +but a minute before, had started to creep into the comfortable tent, +where the blankets lay; but a wide-awake fellow, eager to ascertain +under what conditions this fugitive brave could have secured such a +letter of recommendation from the man of science, who was supposed to +have utterly vanished from the haunts of men without leaving a single +trace behind, up to the hour that message came to Colonel Haywood. + +Holding the paper up, and shaking it slightly, Frank started to put the +Moqui warrior on the rack. + +"This belong to you, Havasupai?" he demanded, trying to assume a stern +manner, such as he believed would affect the other more or less, and be +apt to bring out straight answers to his leading questions. + +"The white boy has said," answered the other, for an Indian seldom +answers in a direct way. + +"Where did you get it?" Frank continued, slowly, as if feeling his way; +for he did not wish to alarm the Indian, knowing how obstinate a Moqui +may prove if he once suspects that he is being coaxed into betraying +some secret or a friend. + +The black, bead-like eyes were on the face of Frank as he put these +questions. Doubtless the old Moqui balanced every one well before +venturing a reply. + +"He gave it," nodding in the direction of the paper Frank held. + +"Do you mean the man who signed his name here, Professor Oswald?" + +A nod of the head in the affirmative settled that question. + +"Was he a small man with a bald head, no hair on top, and wearing +glasses over his eyes, big, staring glasses?" + +Frank aided comprehension by touching the top of his own head when +speaking about the loss of hair on the part of the noted scientist; and +then made rings with his fingers and thumbs which he clapped to his eyes +as though looking through a pair of spectacles. + +Evidently the Moqui understood. Reading signs was a part of his early +education. In fact it comprised nearly four-fifths of all the Indian +knew. + +"White boy heap wise; he know that the man give Havasupai talking paper. +Much great man; know all. Tell Havasupai about cliff men. Find much good +cook pot, heap more stuff in cave. Find out how cave men live. Write all +down in book. Send Havasupai one, promise. It is well!" + +"But where did you meet him?" asked Frank; and he saw at once that this +was getting very near the danger line, judging from the manner in which +the Moqui acted; for he seemed to draw back, just as the alarmed +tortoise will hide its head in its shell at the first sign of peril. + +"In canyon where picture rocks laugh at sun," the Indian slowly said. + +"That ought to stand for the Grand Canyon," remarked the boy. + +The keen ears of the Moqui caught the words, although they were almost +spoken in whispers, and only intended for Bob. + +He nodded violently, and Frank somehow found himself wondering whether, +after all, the shrewd Indian might not be wanting to deceive him. He may +have conceived the idea that these two white boys were the enemies of +the queer old professor; and for that reason would be careful how he +betrayed the man who trusted him. + +"Listen, Moqui," said Frank, putting on a serious manner, so as to +impress the other; "we are the friends of the little-old-man who has no +hair on top of his head. We want to see him, talk with him! It means +much good to him. He will be glad if you help us find him. Do you +understand that?" + +The Indian's black eyes roved from one to the other of those bright +young faces. Apparently he would be foolish to suspect even for a minute +that the two lads could have any evil design in their minds. + +Still, the crafty look on his brown face grew more intense. + +"He has some good reason for refusing to accommodate us, I'm afraid," +Bob said just then, as if he too had read the signs of that set +countenance. + +"Why don't you answer me, Moqui?" Frank insisted, bent on knowing the +worst. "We are on the way now to find the man who gave you this letter +that talks. We have some good news for him. And you can help us if you +will only tell in what part of the Grand Canyon Echo Cave lies." + +The Indian seemed to ponder. Evidently his mind worked slowly, when it +tried to grapple with secrets. But one thing he knew, and this must be +some solemn promise he had made the man of science, never under any +conditions to betray his hiding-place to a living soul. + +"No can say; in canyon where picture rocks lie; that all," he finally +declared, and Frank knew Indians well enough to feel sure that no +torture could be painful enough to induce Havasupai to betray one he +believed his friend, and whose magic talking paper he carried inside his +shirt, to prove his good character. + +"That settles it, Bob, I'm afraid," he remarked to his chum, who had +been listening eagerly to all that was being said. "You might try all +sorts of terrible things and he wouldn't whisper a word, even if he +believed all we told him." + +"That's tough," observed Bob; "but anyhow, we've got something out of it +all, because we know now that the silly old professor must be hiding in +one of those cliff caves, trying to read up the whole life history of +the queer people who dug their homes out of the solid rock, tier after +tier, away up the face of the cliffs." + +"True for you, Bob, and I'm glad to see how you take it. I had hoped the +Moqui might make our job easier, as he could do, all right, if only he +wanted to tell us a few things. But we're no worse off than we were +before, in all things, and some better in a few." + +"I wish I could talk Moqui," declared Bob; "and perhaps then I'd be able +to make the old fellow understand. Perhaps, Frank, if you gave him a +little note to Uncle Felix, he might promise to take it to him later +on!" + +"Hello! that's a good idea, I declare," exclaimed Frank; "and I'll just +do that same while I think of it." + +He immediately drew out a pad of paper, and a fountain pen which he +often carried for business purposes, since there were times when he had +to sign documents as a witness for his father. + +The old Moqui watched him closely. Evidently the spider-like handwriting +was a deep mystery to him, and he must always feel a certain amount of +respect for any white person who could communicate with another by means +of the "talking paper." + +"There," said Frank, presently, "that ought to do the business, I +reckon." + +"What did you say?" asked his comrade, who was busy at the fire just +then, drawing some of the partly-burned wood aside, so that their supply +might hold out in the morning. + +"Oh!" Frank went on, "I told him dad had his note, sent in that bottle. +Then I mentioned the important fact that the mine paper he carried had +increased in value thousands of dollars. And I wound up by telling him +how much we wanted to see and talk with him. I signed my name, and +yours, to the note." + +"And now to see whether the Moqui will promise to carry it to your +great-uncle." + +Frank held the note up. + +"You will not tell us where we can find the little man without any hair +on his head, Havasupai," he said. "But surely you will not say no when I +ask you to carry this talking paper to him. It will please him very +much. He will shake your hand, and many times thank you. How?" + +The cautious old Moqui seemed to be weighing chances in his suspicious +mind. + +"Three to one he thinks we mean to spy on him, and find it all out that +way," was Bob's quick opinion. + +"Just what was in my mind; I could read it in his sly old face. But all +the same he's going to consent, Bob." + +The Kentucky boy wondered how Frank could tell this. He was even more +surprised when the Indian stretched out a hand for the note, as he said +solemnly: + +"Havasupai will carry the talking paper to the man who has no hair on +his head. But no eye must see him do it. The white boys must say to +Havasupai that they will not try to follow him." + +Frank looked at his chum, and nodded. + +"We'll just have to do it, I guess, to satisfy the suspicious old fraud, +Bob," he remarked; and then raising his hand, while his chum did +likewise Frank went on, addressing the Moqui, who watched every action +with glittering black eyes: "We promise not to follow, Havasupai, and +will hope that this talking paper may cause the man-who-hides to send +you for us to take us to him. You understand all that I am saying, don't +you?" + +The Moqui said something in his native language, which of course neither +of them comprehended. But at the same time he reached out his hand and +deliberately took the note intended for Uncle Felix. + +"Hurrah! he's going to act as our messenger!" exclaimed Bob, filled with +anticipations of success. "Say, that was a pretty smart dodge on our +part, after all. But it makes me hold my breath every time I think of +our good luck in running across this chap the way we did. And Buckskin +deserves all the credit. He did it with his wonderful little tap." + +"All right," said Frank; "me for the land of sleep now! Havasupai, you +can lie down where you will. In the morning we promise you a share of +our meat. How?" + +"It is well, white boy," replied the old Moqui, as he dropped in a heap, +and evidently meant to sleep just as he was without any further +preparations. + +Bob also crawled into the tent, although he had some misgivings, and +wondered whether his chum were really doing a wise thing to trust one +who had just confessed to a desire to raid their horses. + +But as Bob, too, was tired and sleepy, he soon forgot all his suspicions +in slumber. When he awoke he could see the daylight peeping under the +canvas. Without disturbing his companion, Bob immediately started to +crawl out. He had suddenly remembered the old Moqui; and it seemed as +though his fears must have returned two-fold, and nothing would do but +that he must hasten to make sure all was well. + +Frank was just opening his eyes a little while later when he saw Bob's +head thrust in at the opening of the tent. + +"Better get up, Frank," the other said. "I've started the fire, and +after we've had breakfast we'll be on our way. It was just as you said, +though; he had the good sense to keep clear of the heels of the horses." + +"Who are you talking about, the Moqui?" asked Frank, sitting up +suddenly, as he caught a peculiar strain in the other's voice. + +"Yes, our friend, Havasupai; who vamoosed in the night!" laughed Bob. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +AT THE GRAND CANYON + + +"Do you mean it?" asked Frank. + +"Come out, and see for yourself," Bob returned. "I've looked all around, +and not a sign of the old fellow can I find." + +"And both horses are there?" Frank continued, making a break for the +exit. + +"As fine as you please. Our friend didn't want a second try from those +clever heels of Buckskin. He gave them a wide berth when he cleared out, +I warrant. Oh! you can look everywhere, and you won't see a whiff of +Havasupai. He's skipped by the light of the moon, all right." + +Bob backed off, as his chum walked this way and that. He grinned as +though he really enjoyed the whole thing. In his mind he had figured +that it would turn out something this way, so he was not very much +surprised. + +"What d'ye think, Frank," he exclaimed, presently; "don't you remember +promising to share our venison at breakfast with the Moqui?" + +"Why yes, to be sure I do; but what of that, Bob?" + +"Only that he didn't forget," laughed the other. + +Frank immediately glanced toward the carcase of the little antelope. + +"Ginger! he did go and cut himself a piece from it, sure enough," he +admitted. + +"While he thought our company not as nice as our room, still, he didn't +object to sharing our meat. And, Frank, he wasn't at all stingy about +the amount he took, either," Bob complained. + +"Oh! well, I reckon there's still enough for us, and to spare. Besides, +we've got heaps of other things along in our packs, for an emergency, +you know. Suppose we make a pot of coffee, and start things." + +"That's all right, Frank; I'll attend to it," declared Bob; "but why +under the sun do you suppose now, that sly old Moqui dodged out like +that?" + +"Well, for one thing, he may have suspected us," replied Frank. + +"What! after all we did for him, took him in, and forgave his sins, even +to offering to mend any broken ribs, if he'd had any, through that horse +kick? I can't just understand that," Bob ventured, while he measured out +enough ground coffee to make a pot of the tempting hot beverage. + +"He took the alarm, it seems," Frank went on, indifferently. "Knew we +wanted to find the man who had given him the talking paper; and was +afraid we might try to make him tell; or, that failing, stalk him when +he went to deliver my note. And on the whole I can't much blame the old +Indian. Suspicion is a part of their nature. He believed he was on the +safe side in slipping away as he did. Forget it, Bob. We've learned a +heap by his just dropping in on us, I think." + +"Sure we have," replied the other, being busily employed over the fire +just then. "And I was thinking what he could have meant when he pointed +off in the direction I calculate the Grand Canyon lies, and said in +answer to one of your questions: 'Seek there! When the sun is red it +shines in Echo Cave!'" + +"I've guessed that riddle, and it was easy," Frank remarked. + +"Then let me hear about it, because I'm pretty dull when it comes to +understanding all this lovely sign language of the Indians," Bob +remarked. + +"Listen, then. The sun is said to be red when its setting; that's plain +enough; isn't it, Bob?" + +"All O.K. so far, Frank. I won't forget that in a hurry, either." + +"Then, when he said it looked into the cave at sunset, it was another +way of telling us the cave faced the west!" Frank continued. + +"Well, what a silly chap I was not to guess that," chuckled the other. + +"And from what I know about the bigness of that canyon, Bob, I think +that this unknown Echo Cave must be pretty high up on the face of a big +cliff to the east of the river." + +"Why high up? I don't get on to any reason for your saying that?" +inquired Bob. + +"You'll see it just as soon as I mention why," remarked his companion. +"When the sun is going down in the west, far beyond the horizon, don't +you see that it can only shine along the very upper part of the cliffs? +The lower part is already lost in the shadows that drop late in the +afternoon in all canyons." + +"Of course, and it's as plain to me now as the nose on my face," agreed +Bob. "Queer, how easy we see these things after they've been explained." + +It did not take long to prepare breakfast, and still less time to eat it +once the coffee and venison were ready. Just as Frank had said, there +was plenty of the meat for the meal. + +"That was a mighty juicy little antelope, all right," remarked Bob, as +he finished his last bite, and prepared to get up from the ground where +he had been enjoying his ease during the meal. + +"And for one I don't care how soon you repeat the dose," remarked Frank; +"only it will be a long day before you get one of the timid little +beasts as easy as that accommodating chap fell to your gun. Why, he was +just a gift, that's all you could call it, Bob." + +"That's what I've been thinking myself, though of course I don't know as +much about them as you do, by a long shot," Bob admitted. "I suppose +it's us to hit the saddle again now?" + +"We're going to try and make Flagstaff by night," Frank announced, as he +picked up his saddle and bridle, and walked toward the spot where +Buckskin was staked out. + +The horses had been able to drink all they wanted during the night, for +the ropes by means of which they were tethered allowed of a range that +took them to the little spring hole from which the water gushed, to run +away, and, in the end, possibly unite with the wonderful Colorado. + +In ten minutes more the boys were off at a round gallop. There was no +intention of pushing their mounts so soon in the day. Like most persons +who have spent much time on horseback both lads knew the poor policy of +urging an animal to its best speed in the early part of a journey, +especially one that is to be prolonged for ten or twelve hours. + +At noon they were far enough advanced for Frank to declare he had no +doubt about being able to make Flagstaff before sunset. + +"When we get there, and spend a night at the hotel, we must remember +and ask if our friend Mr. Stanwix and his partner arrived in good time, +and went on," Bob suggested. + +Just as Frank had expected, they made the town on the railroad before +the sun had dropped out of sight; and the horses were in fair condition +at that. + +Flagstaff only boasts of a normal population of between one and two +thousand; but there are times, with the influx of tourists bound for the +Grand Canyon, when it is a lively little place. + +The two boys only desired shelter and rest for themselves and their +horses during the night. It was their intention to push on early the +following day, keeping along the old wagon trail that at one time was +the sole means of reaching the then little known Wonderland along the +deeply sunk Colorado. + +After a fairly pleasant night, they had an early breakfast. The horses +proved to be in fine fettle, and eager for the long gallop. So the two +saddle boys once more started forth. + +The day promised to be still warmer than the preceding one; and the +first part of the journey presented some rather difficult problems. They +managed to put the San Francisco Mountains behind them, however, and +from that on the dash was for the most part over a fairly level plateau. + +Now and then they were threading the trail through great pine forests, +and again it was a mesa that opened up before them. + +Bob was especially delighted. + +"Think we'll make it, Frank?" he asked, about the middle of the +afternoon, as they cantered along, side by side, the horses by this time +having had pretty much all their "ginger" as Bob called it taken out of +them, though still able to respond to a sudden emergency, had one +arisen. + +"I reckon so," replied the other. "According to my map we're within +striking distance right now. Given two more hours, and we'll possibly +sight the border of the big hole. That was Red Horse Tank we just +passed, you know," and he pointed out their position on the little chart +to Bob. + +It was half an hour to sundown when the well known Grand View Hotel +stood out in plain sight before them; and before the shades of night +commenced to fall, the tired boys had thrown themselves from their +saddles, seen to the comfort of the faithful steeds, and mounted to the +porch of the hotel for a flitting view of the amazing spectacle that +spread itself before them, ere darkness hid its wonderful and majestic +beauty. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HOW THE LITTLE TRAP WORKED + + +"What do you think of it?" asked Frank, after they had stood there a +short time, taking in the picture as seen in the late afternoon. + +"It's hard to tell," Bob replied slowly. "It's so terribly big, that a +fellow ought to take his time letting the thing soak in. That further +wall looks as if you could throw a stone over to it; and yet they say +it's more than a mile from here." + +"Yes," Frank went on, "and all along in the Grand Canyon there are what +seem to be little hills, every one of which is a mountain in itself. +They only look small in comparison with the tremendous size of the +biggest gap in the whole world." + +"And how far does this thing run--is it fifty miles in length?" Bob +asked. + +"I understand that the river runs through this canyon over two hundred +miles," the other replied. "And all the way there are scores, if not +hundreds, of smaller canyons and 'washes,' reaching out like the fingers +of a whopping big hand; or the feelers of a centipede." + +"That's what I read about it away back; but I had forgotten," Bob +remarked. "And they say that it would be a year's trip to try and follow +the Grand Canyon all the way down from beginning to end, only on one +side." + +"I reckon it would, for you'd have to trace every one of these lateral +gashes up to its source, so as to cross over. And that would mean +thousands of miles to be covered." + +"Gee!" exclaimed Bob, throwing up his hands as he spoke; "when you say +that, it makes a fellow have some little idea of the size of this hole. +And to think it's come just by the river eating away the soil!" + +"They call that erosion," remarked Frank, who had of course posted +himself on many of these facts, during his previous visit to the canyons +of the Little Colorado. "It's been going on for untold thousands of +years; and as the river with its tributaries has gradually eaten away +the soil and rocks, it has left the grandest pictured and colored walls +ever seen in any part of this old earth." + +"When that afternoon sun shines on the red rocks it makes them look +almost like blood," declared Bob. "And already I'm glad we came. I think +just now I could be happy spending months prowling around here, finding +new pictures every day." + +"Then you don't blame old Uncle Felix for staying, do you?" laughed +Frank. + +"Sure I don't," returned the other lad, with vehemence. "And besides, +you must remember that he had another string to his bow." + +"Meaning his craze to be the fortunate man of science to unravel the +mystery that has always hung over the homes of those cliff dwellers?" +Frank went on. + +"I can understand how it must appeal to a man living as Professor Felix +has all these years," mused Bob. "And think of those queer old fellows +picking out this one place of all the wide country to build their +homes." + +"That was because there could be no place that offered them a tenth of +the advantages this did," Frank remarked, pointing across the wide chasm +to the towering heights that could be seen. "Think of hundreds of miles +of such cliffs to choose from! And as the softer rock was washed out by +the action of floods countless ages ago, leaving the harder in the shape +of astonishing shelves and buttes, these people took a lesson from +nature, and carved their roomy homes by following the pliable stone." + +"Say," Bob exclaimed, "that makes me think of what I read about the +catacombs of Rome; how, for hundreds of miles, they run in every +direction, following the course of veins of earth in the rock, that +were selected by those who dug 'em." + +"Of course," said Frank, "these people built their homes up in the +cliffs in order to be safe. Nobody seems to know what they were afraid +of, whether savage tribes, or great beasts that may have roamed this +part of the country a thousand and more years ago." + +"And that's the bait that has drawn the old scientist here, to study it +all out, and write up the history of the people who looked on this very +picture so many hundreds of years back. Why, Frank, some of the cliffs +they say are about a mile high! That's hard to believe, for a fact." + +"But it's been proved true," the other asserted. "The trouble is, that +everything here is on such an awful big scale that a fellow fools +himself. Actual measurement is the only way to prove things. The eye +goes back on you. Why, I've looked out on a clear day in Colorado, and +believed I could walk to a mountain in an hour. They told me it's base +was fifty miles away; and there you are." + +"Well, we'll have to put off looking till morning," said Bob, +regretfully; "because the sun's dropped out of sight, and it's getting +pretty thick down there in the hole. And to think that to-morrow we'll +be pushing along through that place, with the walls shutting us in on +both sides." + +"Not only to-morrow, but for many days, perhaps," Frank added; for more +than ever did he begin to realize the enormous task that confronted +them; it was almost like looking for a needle in a haystack; but if one +possesses a powerful magnet, even then the bit of steel may be recovered +in time. + +Did they happen to know of any such magnet? + +Almost unconsciously Frank's thoughts went out toward that old Moqui +brave, Havasupai, who had fled from his village because of some act +which he had committed; but who was now determined to return, and take +his punishment with the stoicism Indians have always shown. + +The Moqui might be the connecting link! He alone knew where the hermit +had his lodging, possibly in one of those quaint series of cliff +dwellers' homes, which for some reason he called Echo Cave. + +"We must ask if our friend Sheriff Stanwix has been here," Bob +suggested, as they went to their room to prepare for supper. + +"Oh!" replied his chum, "I did that when I spoke with the clerk at the +desk. You were looking after the ponies at the time, so as to make sure +they'd be well taken care of for a week, or a month if necessary." + +"And what did he tell you, Frank?" + +"They got here, all right," came the reply. "If you'd looked sharp when +you were out there in the hotel stables, you might have recognized both +their mounts; for they left them here at noon to-day." + +"Noon!" echoed Bob; "then they made mighty good work of it, to get ahead +of us all that time. I reckon you're going to tell me they've gone down +into the canyon, and put in several hours looking for their birds, the +two fellows who've given 'em the merry laugh more'n a few times." + +"Guessed right the first shot," Frank went on, "but all that doesn't +concern us one half as much as some other information I struck." + +"And you've been keeping it back from me, while we stood there on the +piazza, admiring the wonderful view," Bob remarked, with a touch of +reproach in his voice. + +"There were people passing us, all the time," his chum explained; "and +besides, I wanted to keep it until we were alone, so we could talk it +over." + +"Is it about that scheming cousin of your father's--what did you say his +name was--Eugene Warringford?" + +"You got it straight enough," Frank admitted; "and what I learned, was +about him. I saw his name on the register, and he's somewhere about the +hotel right now. I had a suspicion that I saw some one trying to get +near us while we stood there, drinking in that picture; and Bob, while I +couldn't just hold up my hand and say for sure, I think it was that +tricky Abajo." + +"The half-breed cowboy who left Circle Ranch because he had some news +for this Eugene that the fellow would be apt to consider mighty +valuable, because it meant a stake of a million or two dollars; is that +right, Frank?" + +"The same Abajo," his chum continued; "which proves that those two are +bound up in a plot to win this game. If Eugene can only find Uncle Felix +he intends to get that paper in his possession, by fair means or foul." + +"Then it's up to us to put a stopper in his little bottle!" declared +Bob. + +"I'm wondering," Frank proceeded, "whether they've got any idea where to +look for the man who has hidden himself away for three years. Perhaps +they mean to keep tabs on us, and if we are lucky enough to discover +Uncle Felix, they hope to jump in, and snatch away the prize before we +can warn him." + +"Say, this is getting to be a pretty mix-up all around," laughed the +Kentucky lad. "Here we are, meaning to try and follow the old Moqui; or +failing that, wait for him to fetch us a message from the hermit of Echo +Cave. Then Eugene, and his shadow, Abajo, are hanging around with the +idea of beating us at our game. Havasupai on his part will be heading +for the cave that lies in an unknown part of the Grand Canyon, and all +the while dodging about for fear that he is followed." + +"Yes," added Frank, falling in with the idea; "and perhaps there are the +Moquis from his village who may have had word somehow of his return, +searching for Havasupai, and bent on bringing him to the bar of their +tribal law. To finish the game, think of our friends, the two sheriffs, +loose in the big gash, and hunting for the men who have snapped their +fingers in their faces so often across the line!" + +"Well, it sure looks like there might be some warm times coming," +remarked Bob. "I suppose we take our guns along with us when we're going +the rounds of the sights?" + +"Wouldn't think of doing anything else," was Frank's reply. "No telling +when we might need 'em. Suppose, now, those two rascals the sheriffs are +after should learn in some way about the value of the paper Uncle Felix +has with him, wouldn't they just make it the game of their lives to try +and capture him? And I reckon Eugene, too, will be so dead in earnest +that he won't stop at little things, backed up by such a reckless +character as the Mexican. Yes, the repeating rifles go along, Bob!" + +"This water feels fine after that long, dusty and tiresome ride, eh?" +remarked the young Kentuckian, as he splashed in the deep basin, and +then proceeded to use the towel vigorously. + +"It certainly does," Frank admitted, as he did likewise. + +Shortly afterward the two boys went down to supper. The hotel had its +usual number of guests, this being a favorite point for parties to start +on the tour. + +"Don't look just now," said Frank, as they sat at a table; "but Abajo +has taken his seat right back of you. And it wasn't accident, either, +that made him do it; I believe he has been set to watch us!" + +From time to time, as they ate, Frank would report as to what the +half-breed was doing; and while nothing occurred to actually prove the +fact, still he saw no reason to change his mind. + +"And I'm going to find out if he's keeping an eye on us, so as to report +to his employer, Eugene Warringford," Frank announced, as they were +drawing near the end of the meal. + +"That sounds good to me," Bob remarked; "but how will you do it?" + +For answer Frank drew out a paper from an inner pocket. + +"You see this document," he observed, with a solemn look. "Well, it's +only what you might call a dummy, being just an invitation I received a +little while back to invest in some worthless mines over in the Hualpai +Mountains of Mohave County. I kept it, meaning to figure out how these +sharpers work their game. Now, when I hand you this, look deeply +interested, as though it might be connected with the finding of Uncle +Felix." + +"Oh! I see your move, and go you one better, Frank." + +For some little time they seemed to be conversing intently. Frank would +occasionally tap the document, which he had sealed up in its envelope, +as though he laid great stress on it. Finally he placed it on the table +alongside his plate, and kept on talking. + +Shortly afterward the boys left the table in apparently such a hurry +that they both forgot the envelope that lay there, half hidden by a +napkin. + +Passing out of the room, they dodged back, and peered around the corner +of the doorway. + +"There's the waiter at the table," said Bob. "Now he's found the fine +tip you left there, and is putting it in his pocket, with a grin. If +everybody treated him as well as that, he'd soon be owning one of these +hotels himself, Frank." + +"Watch!" remarked his chum, in a low whisper. "Now he's discovered the +document lying there where I left it. He takes it up. Perhaps he sees +another dollar coming to him when he runs after us to return it." + +"But there's somebody at his elbow," Bob went on to say; "and it's +Abajo, as sure as you live. He's saying something, and I reckon telling +the waiter that you asked him to get the packet. There, he slips some +money in the fellow's hand; and the waiter lets him take the envelope. +And we'd better slip behind this coat rack here, for Abajo will be +heading this way in a hurry." + +And hardly had they carried out that programme ere the half-breed glided +past, one hand held in the pocket where he had thrust the "valuable" +document! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +GOING DOWN THE CANYON TRAIL + + +"Was I right?" asked Frank, after the half-breed had disappeared. + +"I should say yes," replied his chum, who had followed the vanishing +figure of Abajo with staring eyes. + +"He got the precious paper, all right, eh?" Frank went on, chuckling. + +"He sure did, and bribed our friend the waiter to let him carry it off. +Shows how you can trust anybody in the tourist country, where they are +nearly all out for the money," Bob declared, indignation struggling hard +with a sense of humor. + +"But just stop and think how easy Abajo, sharp rascal that he is, rose +to my little bait?" laughed Frank. "Just as I expected, he was watching +us all the time we examined that wonderful paper, and of course he +believed it to be something for which his employer would reward him +heavily, if he could only lay hands on it." + +Bob himself was laughing now, as the full sense of the ridiculous +character of Frank's little joke broke upon him. + +"Oh! my, think what will happen when Mr. Warringford tears open that +envelope, and sees how his spy has been fooled!" he exclaimed. + +"There's only one bad thing about it, Bob!" + +"What is that?" inquired the other. + +"Eugene is, I take it, a clever fellow," said Frank, seriously; "and +he'll understand that this was done with a purpose. It will make him +suspect that we're onto the game, and that we know he has the half-breed +watching our every move." + +"Well, what of that, Frank?" + +"Nothing, only after this we may expect they'll change their tactics +more or less, and play on another string of the fiddle," the other +saddle boy replied. + +"All right," Bob remarked. "Forewarned is forearmed, they say; and if we +know Eugene is laying low for us, we can be on our guard." + +"Yes, that's all very good," Frank went on, shaking his head; "but once +we get into the big canyon it may pay us to keep an eye out for +overhanging rocks." + +"Say, you don't mean to tell me you think Eugene would go that far?" +demanded Bob, startled at the very idea of such a thing. + +"I don't like to think he would; but you never can tell," Frank replied. +"When a man like Eugene Warringford sells his soul, and with a chance of +getting a big stake, he is generally ready to shut his eyes, and go the +limit." + +"But, Frank, that would be terrible! One of those rocks, coming down +from the face of a high cliff, would seriously injure us!" + +"Sure it would, and on that account we must keep on the watch all the +time," Frank continued. "But I don't see Abajo anywhere about the piazza +of the hotel; do you?" + +"He's gone, and I reckon to carry that wonderful find of his to the man +who employs him," Bob remarked. "Wouldn't I give a dollar to be hiding +close by when he runs across Eugene, and they open the envelope you +sealed! Wow! it will be a regular circus! Can't you imagine that yellow +face of the half-breed turning more like saffron then ever when he +learns that we played him for a softy?" + +"Well, if you were near by, Bob, I wouldn't be surprised if you just had +to stick your fingers in your ears," chuckled Frank. + +"I reckon they will have a heap to say about it; and Abajo, after this, +won't take us for easy marks, will he?" Bob remarked, in a satisfied +tone. + +A short time later they were in their room. + +"You don't suppose now, Frank, that we'll be bothered to-night?" Bob +observed, as he stood there by the window looking out toward the Grand +Canyon. + +At that the other laughed quite merrily. + +"Don't give yourself any uneasiness about that, Bob," he remarked. "In +the first place nobody would bother trying to get up here, even if they +could, when so many better chances of reaching us will crop up after we +start into the canyon to-morrow. Then again, we haven't anything to be +stolen but our rifles, and what little cash we brought along for +expenses." + +"Oh! I suppose I am silly thinking about it," admitted Bob, "but some +way that half-breed seems to be on my nerves. His face is so sly, and +his black eyes just glitter as I've seen those of a snake do when he's +going to strike. But, just as you say, it's foolish to borrow trouble, +and I must get those notions out of my head." + +"That's the talk, Bob," his chum declared, heartily. "Morning will find +us in fine trim to make a start into this big ditch. And before another +night you'll be so filled with wonder over what you see that these other +things will take a back seat." + +"But do you think we ever can find the hermit of Echo Cave?" asked Bob. + +"I think we've got a pretty good chance, if we're left alone," came the +ready reply. + +"Meaning if this Eugene Warringford keeps his hands off; and nothing +else turns up to balk us?" Bob asked. + +"Yes, all of that, and more," Frank admitted. + +"But already I find myself wishing we had somebody along with us, like +Old Hank Coombs for instance, Frank." + +"Well, who knows what may happen?" said the other, a little +mysteriously. "D'ye know, Bob, I saw my dad winking at Hank when he +thought I wasn't looking; and on that account I've got half an idea he +meant to send the old man, perhaps with a second cowboy, along on our +trail. We may run across friends here when we least expect it." + +"I hope it turns out that way," declared the Kentucky boy; "because Hank +is just what you might call a tower of strength when he's along. +Remember how fortunate it was he turned up when he did, at the time we +wanted to follow that plague of the cattle ranges, the wolf, Sallie? I +reckon we'd have had a much harder time bagging our game if Hank hadn't +been along." + +"Well, get to bed now," Frank counseled; "and let to-morrow look out for +itself." + +"All right, I'll be with you in three shakes of a lamb's tail," declared +Bob. + +But before he left the window Frank noticed that he thrust his head out, +as if desirous of making sure that no one could climb up the face of the +wall, and find entrance there while they slept. + +Bob was not a timid boy as a rule; in fact he was deemed rather bold; +but just as he said, that dark face of Abajo had impressed him +unfavorably; and he felt that the young half-breed would be furious when +he learned how neatly he had been sold. + +Nor did anything happen during that night as they slept upon the border +of the Wonderland. Both lads enjoyed a peaceful sleep, and awoke feeling +as "fresh as fish," as Bob quaintly expressed it. + +Breakfast not being ready they walked about, viewing the astonishing +features of the canyon as seen from the bluff on which the hotel stood. +Down in the tremendous gap mists were curling up like little clouds, to +vanish as they reached the line where the sunlight fell. It was a sight +that appalled Bob, who declared that he felt as though looking into the +crater of some vast volcano. + +"Well," remarked Frank, "they did have volcanos around here, after this +canyon was pretty well formed, though perhaps thousands of years ago. +Great beds of lava have been found down in the bottom of the hole, so my +little guide book tells me. But look away off there, Bob, and see that +peak standing up like the rim of a cloud. Do you know what that is?" + +"I heard one man say," Bob replied, quickly, "Navajo Peak could be seen +on a clear morning, and perhaps that's the one; but Frank, just think, +it's about a hundred and twenty miles off. Whew! they do things on a big +scale around here; don't they? I'd call it the playground of giants." + +"And you'd about hit the bulls eye," his chum observed; "but there goes +the call for breakfast." + +"I feel as if I could stow away enough for a crowd, this mountain air is +so fresh and invigorating," Bob remarked, as they headed for the dining +room. + +Half an hour later they were once more in front of the hotel, and +interviewing a guide who had been recommended by the manager as an +experienced canyon man. It ended in their making terms with John Henry, +as the fellow gave his name; though of course Frank was too wise to tell +him what their real object was in exploring the tremendous gap. That +could come later on. + +At about nine o'clock they started down the trail that led from Grand +View into the depths of the fearful dip. And as they descended, +following their guide, Bob found himself realizing the colossal size of +everything connected with the rainbow-hued canyon walls. + +Nor was his mind made any easier when Frank took occasion, half an hour +later, to bend toward him, and say in the most natural manner possible, +though in low tones: + +"They're on the job again, Bob--Abajo and Eugene--because I happened to +see them watching us start down the trail; and they had some one along +with them, perhaps a guide; so we'll have to take it for granted that +they mean to dog us all the time, hoping to steal our thunder, if we +make any lucky find!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE HOME OF THE CLIFF DWELLERS + + +Although Bob had anticipated such a thing, still the knowledge that it +was actually coming to pass gave him a thrill. For some little time he +did not say anything; but Frank could see him look uneasily up at the +walls that now arose sheer above their heads some hundreds of feet. + +Frank had studied the situation as well as he could, both from a map of +the canyon which he found in the little guide book, and his own +observations. All the while he kept before him that admission on the +part of the old Moqui whom they had befriended, to the effect that the +Westering sun shone full in Echo Cave. So he expected to find the home +of the hermit-scientist high up in the wall on the Eastern side of the +Grand Canyon. + +First he intended heading toward the East, and going just as far as they +could. Days, and perhaps weeks, might be spent in the search for the +strange cave that had once been the home of those mysterious cliff +people, which cavern Professor Oswald was occupying while studying the +lives and customs of the long departed people who had dug these +dwellings out of the rock. + +At noon they had made good progress; but when the tremendous size of +that two hundred mile canyon was taken into consideration, with its +myriad of side "washes," and minor canyons, the distance that they had +covered was, as Bob aptly declared, but a "flea-bite" compared with the +whole. + +And Frank declared time and again it had been a lucky thought that +caused his chum to suggest that they bring the field glasses along. They +were in almost constant use. Far distant scenes were brought close, and +high walls could be examined in a way that must have been impossible +with the naked eye. + +Of course Frank was particularly anxious to scrutinize every colored +wall that faced the West. The rainbow tints so plainly marked, tier +above tier, called out expressions of deep admiration from the two lads; +but all the while they were on the watch for something besides. + +When Frank ranged that powerful glass along the ragged face of a +towering cliff he was looking eagerly for signs of openings such as +marked the windows of the homes fashioned by the strange people of a +past age. + +During the afternoon they actually discovered such small slits in the +rock--at least they looked like pencil markings to them when the guide +first pointed out the village of the ancient cliff dwellers; though on +closer acquaintance they found that the openings were of generous size. + +"Shall we climb up that straggly path along the face of the wall, and +see what the old things look like?" asked Bob, as the guide made motions +upward. + +"Yes, we ought to have our first sight of such places," Frank replied, +in a cautious tone. "Not that I expect we're going to find our hermit +there, or in any other village that's known to tourist travel. But we +ought to get an idea of what these places are like, you see. Then we'll +know better what to expect. And perhaps the conditions will teach us how +to discover _his_ hiding place." + +Accordingly they started to climb upward, just as many other tourists +had been doing for years. There were even places, "aisles of safety," +Bob called them, where one who was ascending, upon happening to meet a +descending investigator, could squeeze into a hole in the rock until the +other had slipped by. + +Of course it was a risky climb, and no lightheaded person could ever +dream of taking it. But the two saddle boys were possessed of good +nerves and able to look downward toward the bottom of the canyon, even +when several hundred feet up in the air. + +Then they entered the first hole. It seemed to be a fair-sized +apartment, and was connected with a string of others, all running along +the face of the cliff; so that those who occupied them in the long ago +might have air and light. + +The boys observed everything with the ordinary curiosity expected of +newcomers. Frank even investigated to see if there were any signs to +indicate that those old dwellers in the canyon knew about the use of +fire; and soon decided that it was so. + +"Well, what do you think about this?" Bob asked, after they had roamed +from one room to another. "For my part I think I'd fancy living in one +of those three story adobe houses of the Hopi Indians, we saw pictures +of at the hotel; or even a Navajo hogan. But one thing sure, these +people never had to worry about leaking roofs." + +"No," added Frank, laughing; "and floods couldn't bother them, because +the Colorado never rose three hundred feet since it began cutting out +this canyon." + +"And think of the grand view they had before their doors, with the +canyon in places as much as thirteen miles across, and mountains in +their dooryard, looking like anthills," Bob went on impressively. + +"Makes a fellow feel mighty small; doesn't it?" Frank remarked, as he +stepped to a window to look out again. + +"Makes me feel that I want to get down again to the trail," admitted +Bob. "I'm wondering whether it's going to be much harder getting back +than it was coming up." + +"That's always the case," Frank declared, "as I've found out myself when +climbing up a steep cliff. But the guide is ready for you, Bob, if you +show signs of getting dizzy. You have seen that he carries a rope along, +just like the Swiss guides do." + +"Oh! come, Frank! Go easy with me; can't you?" the other exclaimed. "I +hope I'm not quite so bad as that." + +"All the same, Bob, don't take any chances; and if you feel the least +bit giddy, let me know. This is a case where an ounce of prevention is +better than a pound of cure. And a stout rope is a mighty good thing to +feel when your foot slips." + +It turned out, however, that the Kentucky lad was as sure-footed as a +mountain goat. He descended the trail, with its several ladders, placed +there of course by modern investigators, without the least show of +timidity. + +They continued along the bed of the wide canyon. At times they followed +the ordinary trail. Then again Frank would express a desire to have a +closer look at some high granite wall that hovered, for possibly a +thousand feet, above the very river itself; and this meant that they +must negotiate a passage for themselves. + +No doubt John Henry, the guide, must have thought them the queerest pair +of tourists he had ever led through the mysteries of the Grand Canyon. +But as yet Frank had not thought fit to enlighten him. He was not +altogether pleased with the appearance of the guide, and wished to wait +until he knew a little more about his ways, before entrusting him with +their secret. + +More than a few times during that day Frank believed he had positive +evidence that they were being watched. Of course they met frequent +parties of pilgrims wandering this way and that, as they drank in the +tremendous glories of the canyon; but occasionally the boy believed he +had seen a head thrust out from behind some rock in their rear, and then +hastily withdrawn again as he looked. + +Of course he could make a guess as to who was taking such a interest in +the progress of his chum and himself. No one, save Eugene Warringford, +would bother for even a minute about what they were doing, since richer +quarry by far than a couple of boys would catch the eye of any lawless +desperado, like those the two sheriffs were following, bent on making a +haul. + +"Frank," said Bob, when the afternoon was drawing to a close, and they +had begun to think of picking out the spot where they would spend the +night; "tell me why you chose to head toward the East instead of the +other way, where Bright Angel trail attracts so many tourists?" + +Frank cast one glance toward the guide, as if to make sure that John +Henry was far enough in advance not to be able to catch what was said. + +"I had a reason, Bob," he remarked, seriously. "Before we got down into +the canyon, so as to choose which way we would go, I talked with several +men who were coming up. And Bob, I learned that an old Moqui Indian had +been seen heading toward the East late last night!" + +"And you think it may have been our friend, Havasupai?" asked Bob. + +"I'm pretty sure of it, from the descriptions they gave me," came the +answer. + +"But Frank, think how impossible it seems that he could have reached +here almost as soon as we did; unless the old warrior was able to fly I +don't see how it could be done." + +"I'm just as much up a tree as you are, Bob," laughed the other; "but, +all the same, I believe the Moqui has arrived, and is on his way right +now to where Echo Cave lies." + +"Then he must have an aeroplane to help him out, for I don't see how +else he could make it," Bob insisted. + +"Think for a minute, and you'll see it isn't actually impossible," Frank +continued. "He could have made Flagstaff that night, just as we did." + +"Yes," admitted Bob, "that's a fact; for while he said he was tired, and +wanted a mount to fly from his people, who were looking for him, still I +understand that these Moquis are wonderful runners, and game to the last +drop of the hat. Oh! I grant you that he could have made Flagstaff that +night sometime." + +"Well, Flagstaff is on the railroad, you know," Frank remarked. + +"Sure! I see now what you are hitting at," Bob observed; "the old Indian +must have had money, as all his kind have, what with the tips given by +tourists day after day. He could have come to Grand View on the train. +Frank, once more I knuckle down to your superior wisdom. That's what +Havasupai must have done, sure pop!" + +"Anyhow," the other continued, "it pleases me to believe so; and that +the Moqui is even now hurrying to make connections with the hermit in +this mysterious Echo Cave. There's still another reason, though, why I +picked out this course up the river, instead of going down. It is +connected with the fact that the Moquis have their homes in this +quarter." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Bob, "I catch on now to what you mean. The chances are +that the Moqui would be prowling around within fifty miles of his own +shack when he ran across the man-with-the-shining-spot-in-his-head, +otherwise the bald Professor Oswald." + +"That's the point, Bob." + +"It sure beats everything how you can get on to these things, Frank. +Here I'm going to be a lawyer some day, so they tell me; and yet I don't +seem to grab the fine points of this game of hide-and-seek as you do." + +"Oh! well," Frank remarked, consolingly; "a lawyer isn't supposed to +know much about trails, and all such things. That comes to a fellow who +has spent years outdoors, studying things around him, and keeping his +wits on edge all the while." + +"I hope to keep on learning more and more right along," said Bob. + +"Here comes John Henry back, to tell us he has found a good place for +camping to-night; so no more at present, Bob." + +It proved just as Frank had said. The guide declared that as the sun was +low down, the canyon would soon be darkening; and they ought to make a +halt while the chance was still good to see what lay around them. + +Accordingly they made a camp, and not a great distance away from the +border of the swirling river that rolled on to pass through all the +balance of that wonderful gulch, the greatest in the known world. + +They had come prepared for this, carrying quite a number of things along +that would prove welcome at supper time. A cheery fire was soon blazing, +and the guide busied himself in preparations for a meal; while the two +boys wandered down to the edge of the river, to throw a few rocks into +the current, and talk undisturbed. + +"There are several other camps not far away," remarked Frank. "I could +see the smoke rising in two places further on." + +"Yes," added Bob, "and there's one behind us too, for I saw smoke rising +soon after we halted. Perhaps that may be Eugene's stopping place; eh, +Frank?" + +"I wouldn't be surprised one little bit. Just look at the river, how +silently it pushes along right here. It's deep too; and yet below a mile +or so it frets and foams among the boulders that have dropped into its +great bed from the high cliffs." + +"And they do say some bold explorers have gone all the way through the +canyon in a boat; but I reckon it must be a terrible trip," Bob ventured +to say. + +"Excuse us from trying to make it," laughed Frank; "by the time we'd +reach Mohave City, where that bottle was picked up, there wouldn't be +much left of us. But let's go back to camp now. John Henry must have +grub ready." + +Three minutes later he suddenly caught Bob's sleeve. + +"Wait up!" he whispered. "There's somebody talking to our guide right +now; and say, Bob, don't you recognize the fellow?" + +"If I didn't think it was silly I'd say it was old Spanish Joe, the +cowboy we had so much trouble with on Thunder Mountain," Bob declared, +crouching down. + +"Well, think again," said Frank; "and you'll remember that Abajo is his +nephew!" + + +[Illustration: "THERE'S SOMEBODY TALKING TO OUR GUIDE RIGHT NOW." + +_Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon_ _Page 134_] + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE TREACHEROUS GUIDE + + +"Why, of course he is," declared Bob; "and it looks as if our old +enemies had cropped up again, to join forces with the new ones. That +will make three against us; won't it, Frank?" + +"The more the merrier," replied the other, but Bob could see that he was +inwardly worried over the new phase of the situation. + +"Look at the way Spanish Joe is arguing with John Henry!" said Bob. "The +guide keeps pointing this way, as if he might be afraid we'd come back, +and see him talking with Old Joe. Now they shake hands, Frank. Do you +think any bargain has been struck between them?" + +"I'm afraid it has," replied his comrade, gritting his teeth with +displeasure. "John Henry has sold us out, and gone over to the enemy for +cash. I saw him hide something in his pocket." + +"Then what will we do about him?" asked Bob, clenching his fist, as if +it might give him considerable pleasure to take the treacherous guide +personally in hand, and teach him the needed lesson. + +"That's easy," chuckled Frank. "We'll keep on guard to-night, and when +he sees how we hang to our guns he won't try any tricks, you may be +sure." + +"And in the morning?" Bob went on. + +"Why," declared Frank, firmly; "there's only one thing to be done--we +must fire John Henry, even if we have to pay him the whole sum agreed on +for the week." + +"I'm glad to hear you say that, Frank; because I'd hate to have him +along. Why, he might take a notion to step on my fingers when I was +climbing up after him, and claim it was only an accident, but if I had a +broken leg, or a cracked skull, that wouldn't do me any good, I take +it." + +"There, Joe is moving off, and we can head for camp," Frank remarked, as +they still hovered behind the spur of rocks that had concealed them, +though allowing a view of the little camp. + +"But you don't want to tell John Henry that we saw him making a bargain +with Spanish Joe, I take it?" Bob questioned. + +"That's right, we don't; and try to keep from looking as if you +suspected him. Now his back is turned, come along," and Frank, rising, +led the way. + +The preparations for supper went on apace. The guide was unusually +talkative, Bob thought, and he wondered whether it was not the result of +a disturbed conscience. Perhaps John Henry might not be wholly bad, and +was worried over having entered into an arrangement to betray his +generous young employers. + +"What are we going to do for a guide when we let him go?" asked Bob, +later on, after they had eaten supper, and John Henry had wandered down +to the river for a dip, as he said. + +"We'll have to trust to luck to pick up another," Frank declared. "And +if it comes to the worst, we can go it alone, I reckon. I've never been +up against such a big job as this, but I think I'd tackle it, if I had +to. But wait and see what another day brings out." + +When it came time for them to retire they began talking about their +ranch habit of standing guard. The guide laughed at the idea of any harm +coming to pass while they were there in the canyon. + +"Lots of other tourists are camping inside of three mile from here," he +said; "and I heard the sheriff of the county himself is somewhere down +in the canyon; so it don't look as how there could anything happen. But +just as you says, boys; if it makes you feel better to stand guard, I +ain't got a thing agin it." + +The night passed without any sort of attack. Either Frank or Bob sat up +all the time, with a trusty rifle ready; but there was no occasion to +make use of the weapon. + +With the coming of morning they made ready to eat a hasty breakfast. +After this was over Frank found himself compelled to discharge the +guide. + +"We've concluded to do without your services, John Henry," he said, as +the man stood ready to start forth on the way along the canyon, heading +East. + +"Me? Let me go? What for?" stammered the fellow; turning red and then +white as a consciousness of his guilt broke upon him. + +"Here's what we promised to pay you for the week," continued Frank. "We +want no hard feelings about it. Never mind why we let you go. You can +think what you like. But next time you hire out to a party, John Henry, +be careful how you let anybody hand you over a few dollars to make you +turn against your friends." + +The man tried to speak, and his voice failed him. They left him standing +there, holding the bills Frank had thrust into his hand, and looking +"too cheap for anything," as Bob said. Perhaps he feared that the boys +might tell what they knew about him, and in this way destroy his +usefulness as a canyon guide ever afterwards. + +"Good riddance to bad rubbish!" declared Bob, after they had gone on +half a mile, and on looking back saw John Henry still standing there as +if hardly knowing whether to be sorry, or glad over having received +full pay for a week after only working a single day. + +"And here we are cut loose from everybody, and going it on our own +hook," laughed Frank. "But it would be foolish for us to think of doing +without a guide if so be we can find one. We'll ask every party we meet, +and perhaps in that way we can strike the right man." + +During the morning they came upon several parties making the rounds of +the Wonderland along the beaten channels. Sometimes women were in the +company, for the strange sights that awaited the bold spirit capable of +enduring ordinary fatigue tempted others besides men to undertake one of +the trips. + +Just at noon the two boys came upon a lone Chinaman sitting at a little +fire he had kindled, cooking a fish, evidently pulled from the river by +means of a hook and line. + +"Well, what do you think!" exclaimed Frank, as he stared at the +Oriental; "Bob, don't you recognize that cousin of our ranch cook, Ah +Sin, the same fellow who was down at our place five months ago? Hello! +Charley Moi, what are you doing in the big canyon, tell me?" + +The Chinaman jumped up, and manifested more or less joy at the sight of +Frank. He insisted on shaking hands with both the boys. + +"How do? Glad see Flank, Blob! Me, I cook for plarties in Gland Canyon. +Hear of chance gettee job up Gland View Hotel. Go there now. Alle samee +like see boys from Circle Lanch. How Ah Sin? Him berry veil last time +hear samee." + +Frank had an idea. + +"See here, Charley Moi," he said; "you say you've been about the big +canyon a long time now, serving as a cook to parties who go up and down. +Perhaps we might engage you to stay with us!" + +"Me cook velly fine much all timee. You tly Charley Moi, you never say +solly do samee!" declared the Oriental, his moon-like face illuminated +with a childlike and bland smile. + +"But we want you for a guide too, Charley; you ought to know a heap +about the place by this time," Frank went on. + +"Alle light, me do," replied the other, glibly. "No matter, cookee or +guide, alle samee. Lucky we meet. Tly flish. Just ketchee from water. +Cook to turnee. Plentee for all. Then go like Flank, Blob say. Sabe?" + +As it was nearly noon the boys were quite satisfied to make a little +halt, and taste the fresh fish which the Chinaman had succeeded in +coaxing from the rushing waters of the nearby Colorado. + +Later on they once again made a start. Charley Moi did everything in his +power to prove his fidelity and faithfulness. He seemed proud of the +fact that the son of the big owner of Circle Ranch, where his cousin +worked as cook for the mess, trusted him, and had employed him as a +guide. Never before in the history of the Grand Canyon had a Chinaman +held such an exalted office; and Charley believed he had cause to feel +proud. + +"Can we trust him?" Bob asked, as evening came on again. "I've always +heard that Chinamen are treacherous fellows." + +"Then you've heard what isn't true," Frank replied. "A Chinaman never +breaks his word. Over in the Far East I've read that all the merchants +of British cities are Chinese. The Japs are a different kind of people. +Yes, we can trust Charley Moi. He would never betray us to our enemies." + +Nevertheless, that night the boys also slept on their arms, so to speak. +One of them remained on guard at different times, the entire night. +Frank had learned caution on the range. He did not mean to be taken by +surprise; though he really believed that nothing would be done to injure +them until after they had found some trace of the hidden hermit of Echo +Cave. + +Before another twelve hours had passed he had occasion to change his +opinion. The night did not bring any alarm in its train. Charley Moi was +up several times, shuffling around, looking at the fire, and sitting +there smoking his little pipe, as though in satisfaction over having +struck such a profitable job so easily; but he gave no sign of holding +any intercourse with outsiders. + +With the coming of morning they were once more on the way. Frank noticed +with considerable satisfaction that now they seemed to be beyond the +ordinary limit of the various trails taken by the regular tourist +parties. + +They were walking along, about the middle of the morning, when they +found themselves in a lonely region, where the dim trail led along the +foot of rugged walls stretching up, red and apparently unscalable, to +the height of hundreds of feet. + +Frank was craning his neck as he looked up overhead, wondering if it +could be possible that there was any sign of an abandoned cliff +dwellers' village there, when he saw something move, and at the same +instant he jumped forward to pull his chum violently back. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY + + +Bob opened his mouth to call out, and ask what was the matter, that his +chum had seized upon him so fiercely. But he held his breath, for +something came to pass just then that made words entirely unnecessary. + +A huge rock seemed to slip from its notch up on the side of the cliff, +and come crashing down, loosening others on the way, until finally the +rush and roar almost partook of the nature of a small avalanche. + +Charley Moi had skipped out in a lively manner, and thus managed to +avoid being caught. Bob stared at the pile of broken rock, about which +hung a little cloud of dust. + +"Wow! that was as close a call as I ever hope to have, Frank!" he +exclaimed, with a little quiver to his voice. + +Frank himself was a bit white, and his hand trembled as he laid it on +that of his chum. + +"I just happened to be looking up, and saw it trembling on the break," +he said. "Only for that we might have been underneath all that stuff." + +"But did you notice the clever way Charley Moi avoided the deluge?" said +Bob, trying to smile, though he found it hard work. + +"Yes, it's hard to catch a Chinaman napping, they say," Frank went on. +"Three times this very day I've heard the thunder of falling rocks, and +that was what kept me nervous; so I watched out above. And, Bob, it +seemed as though I must have seen that big rock just trembling as it +started to leave the face of the cliff." + +"Well, all I can say then, is, that you jumped to the occasion mighty +well. Some fellows would have been scared just stiff, and couldn't have +thrown out a hand to save a chum. But look here, Frank, you don't +imagine that thing was done on purpose, do you?" + +Frank looked at his companion, with a wrinkle on his forehead. + +"I don't want to think anybody could be so mean and low as to want to +hurt boys who'd never done them any harm," he said; "but all the same I +seem to have an idea that I got a glimpse of a man's arm when that rock +started to drop." + +"Whew! you give me a cold chill, Frank," muttered Bob, gazing helplessly +upward toward the spot from which the descending rock had started on its +riotous tumble. + +"Yes, and I hope I was mistaken," Frank went on. "I don't see anything +up there now; and perhaps it was only a delusion. All these bright +colors affect the eyes, you see. Then, again, it might have been some +goat jumping, that started that rock on its downward plunge." + +"But you didn't see any goat, Frank, did you?" Bob asked, anxiously. + +"No, I didn't," admitted the other; "but then there may be a shelf up +there, and any animal on it would be hidden from the eyes of those right +below." + +They passed on; but more than once Bob craned his neck in the endeavor +to look up to that spot, from whence the loose rock had plunged. He +could not get it out of his head that foes were hovering about, who +thought so little of human life that they would conspire to accomplish a +death if possible. + +The day passed without any further peril confronting them. Charley Moi +seemed to fill the bill as a guide, very well. He also knew the +different points of interest, and chattered away like a magpie or a +monkey as they kept pushing on. + +Bob became curious to know just how the Chinaman could tell about so +many things when they were now above the trails used ordinarily by +tourists, who gave two or three days to seeing the Grand Canyon, and +then rushed away, thinking they had exhausted its wonders, when in fact +they had barely seen them. + +He put the question to Charley Moi, and when the smiling-faced Chinaman +replied, Frank caught his breath. + +"That easy, bloss," said Charley, nodding. "Happen this way. Long time +black me 'gage with sahib, like one know out in Canton. Think have samee +big joss some bit up here in canlon. Me to bling grub to certain place +evly two month. Him give me list what buy, and put cash in hand. Know +can trust Chinaman ebery time. Many time now me do this; so know how +make trail up-river, much far past same tourist use. Sabe, Flank, Blob?" + +The two boys stared at each other, unable to say a word at first. It was +as if the same tremendous thought had come to each. + +"Gee whiz! did you get on to that, Frank?" finally ejaculated Bob. + +"I sure did," replied his chum, allowing his pent-up breath full play. + +"Charley says he engaged himself to a gentleman long ago; perhaps it was +as much as three years back, the time that the professor disappeared +from the haunts of men. And, Frank, his part of the contract was to come +to a certain point away up here in the Grand Canyon, once every two +months, at a time agreed on, bringing a load of food, as per the list +given him by this mysterious party." + +"It must be Professor Oswald!" exclaimed Frank. "I've been wondering all +the time how under the sun he could have supplied himself with food +these long months if he'd cut loose from the world, as he said in that +note he had. Now the puzzle begins to show an answer. Charley Moi is the +missing link. He has kept the professor in grub all the time. Did you +ever hear of such luck? First we run across that old Moqui, who has been +in touch with the man we want to find; and now here's the one who comes +up here every little while to deliver his goods, and get a new list, as +well as money to pay for the same. It's just the limit, that's what!" + +He turned to the Chinaman, and continued: + +"Did you happen to notice, Charley, whether this party you are working +for is a bald-headed man? Has he a shining top when he takes his hat +off; and does he bend over, as if he might be hunting for diamonds all +the time?" + +The Chinese guide smirked, and bobbed his head in the affirmative. + +"That him, velly much, just same say. Shiny head, and blob this away +alle time," with which he walked slowly forward, bending over as though +trying to discover a rich vein of gold in the seamed rock under his +feet. + +"Shake hands, Bob," said Frank. "We're getting hot on the trail. Now we +needn't have any doubt at all about the choice of the eastern route. +It's the right one; and somewhere further on we're just bound to find +Echo Cave." + +"Then all we've got to fear, Frank, is the work of Eugene and his crowd. +Let us keep clear of that bad lot, and we're going to succeed. Any time, +now, we may glimpse our old Moqui, returning with a message from the +professor, if he sees fit to reply to your appeal. He may, though, be so +set and stubborn that nothing will move him from his game of hiding. +Then we'll have to get that paper, with his signature, and save the mine +for his family." + +"That's what I mean to do," replied the other, with grim determination. +"If he's so wrapped up in his scheme that he just won't come out, we're +going to do the best we can to save his fortune in spite of him. There's +his daughter Janice to think of. Above all, we mustn't let that schemer, +Eugene Warringford, get his fingers on the document." + +That night they made camp in a little cave that offered an asylum. The +boys rather fancied the idea for a change. And they passed a very +comfortable night without any alarm. + +Once, Bob being on duty near the mouth of the opening, heard a shuffling +sound without. He could not make out whether it was caused by the +passage of a human being, or a bear. Half believing that they were about +to be attacked by some animal that fancied the cave as a den, he had +drawn back the hammer of his rifle, and watched the round opening that +was plainly seen at the time, as it was near morning, and the small +remnant of a moon was shining without. + +But he waited in vain, and, as the minutes passed without any further +alarm, Bob heaved a sigh of relief. It was all very well to think of +shooting big game; but under such conditions he did not much fancy a +close battle. + +When morning came, and he had told Frank about it, the other immediately +went out to look for traces of the animal. As he came back Bob saw by +the expression on his chum's face that Frank had made some sort of +discovery. + +"How about it?" he asked. + +"It was no bear," replied the other, decidedly. + +"But sure I heard something moving, Frank, and I was wide-awake at the +time, too," Bob protested. + +"I guess you were, all right," Frank admitted. "A man passed by, not far +from the mouth of the cave. He even stooped down, and looked in, though +careful not to let his head show against the bright background. Then he +went off again up the canyon." + +"Since you know so much, Frank, perhaps you could give a guess as to who +he was," said Bob, eagerly. + +"No guess about it," came the reply. "I've examined his track before, +and ought to know it like a book. It was Abajo, Bob!" + +"Then ten to one, Spanish Joe and Eugene were close by!" declared Bob. +"Say, do you really believe he knew we were in here?" + +"Of course he did," Frank asserted. "Perhaps they saw us enter. But +Abajo also knows that both of us are fair shots. He did not dare take +the chance of trying to creep in. It would be more dangerous than our +going into that wolf den." + +"The plot seems to be thickening, Frank. It won't be long now before +something is bound to happen. If we could only run across the old Moqui +now, and hear that he carried a message in answer to your note, that +would clear the air a heap, wouldn't it?" + +"Well, we must live in hopes," replied Frank, cheerfully. "And now, +after a bite which Charley Moi is getting ready for us, we'll be off +again, and tackle the roughest traveling in the whole canyon, so he +says. But he knows the way, because he was led up here by the old +professor, and told to come back every two months." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE WINDOWS IN THE ROCKY WALLS + + +"Well, here it's the fourth day we've been out, and nothing doing yet, +Frank!" + +Bob spoke gloomily, as though the unsuccessful search was beginning to +pall upon him a little. Boys' natures differ so much; and while the +young Kentuckian had many fine qualities that his chum admired, still he +was not so persistent as Frank. + +Nothing could ever daunt the boy from Circle Ranch. Difficulties, he +believed, were only thrown in his way to bring out the better parts of +his nature. The more a fellow found himself "up against it," as Frank +called meeting trouble half-way, the stronger became his character. + +"Oh! well, now, Bob, I wouldn't say that," he answered the complaint of +his chum. "Just think what tremendous progress we've been making right +along. And if the very worst comes, didn't Charley Moi say that it was +only a week now before he must get another stock of things to eat, and +won't he have to wait at the place of meeting, for the 'learned sahib' +to appear, and take them from him, as he has done so often? Why, we can +be in hiding nearby, and meet the professor, even against his will." + +"That's so," Bob admitted, the argument proving a clincher; "and I +reckon I'm a silly clown to think anything else." + +"No, you're only tired, after a pretty tough day, that's all," Frank +declared. "When you've had a rest you'll feel better. I'm more used to +this sort of thing than you are, old fellow; but all the same we must +admit that we're getting the greatest view ever of this old canyon." + +"That's so, Frank, and it's worth all the climbing and sliding, too. But +every time we've discovered signs of any of those old deserted homes of +the cliff dwellers, why, we find they've been visited time and again by +curious folks hoping to discover some treasure, or keepsakes of the +extinct people. No chance for the old professor to hide away there." + +"But pretty soon we're going to discover a new batch of those caves in +the face of the rock, something unknown to all other searchers. We'll +find it by the aid of this same glass; and because we're looking for it, +high up. In all these other cases you see, Bob, there were shelves of +rock above shelves; and new ladders have been made by the guides, so +that anybody with nerve could climb up and up. Now these ladders give +the thing away. And I've somehow got the notion in my head that in the +case of the rock dwellings where the professor is hiding himself, there +is no outward sign in the shape of ladders." + +"But in that case, Frank, how under the sun could the old fellows ever +get up to their dens, which you said must be near the top of a high +cliff?" + +"Well, that's something we're going to find out later on, you see," +replied the other, serenely. "Perhaps they had some way of lowering +themselves from the top by means of a rope, or a stout, wide grape vine. +Then, again, there may be some cleft in the rock farther away, that no +one would notice; but which was used as a trail, running up into the +cliff, and to the rock houses." + +"It does take you to figure out these things," declared Bob, in +admiration, as they trudged along, with Charley Moi in advance. + +"Then we haven't yet got to the place where the Chinese buyer meets his +employer with the eatables?" Bob remarked after a little silence. + +"The last time I asked him he kept saying it was only a little farther +along," replied Frank. + +"There, look at him stopping right now; and Frank, he's grinning at us +in a way that can only mean one thing. That must be where he always +waits for the queer old gentleman to show up." + +"How about that, Charley; is this the place where you hang out?" asked +Frank, as they hastened to join the guide. + +"Allee samee place," replied Charley Moi, waving his yellow hand around +him. "Not know where shaib come fromee, always turn roundee rock," and +he pointed to a large outlying mass that had, ages ago, become detached +from the towering cliff overhead, and fallen in such a fashion as to +partly obstruct the canyon trail. + +Frank looked around him eagerly. + +"We must be getting warmer all the time," he remarked; "and if you just +take a look at that river right now, you'll see that up yonder the rock +rises up almost from its very flood. When the water is high it must +sweep along against the face of that big cliff. And Bob, something seems +to tell me that somewhere inside of a mile or so, we're going to find +what we're looking for." + +"Oh! I hope so!" echoed Bob, with a look of expectancy on his face; for +he always put great reliance on the common sense of his chum; and when +Frank said a thing in that steady tone, the Kentucky boy believed it +must be so. + +Frank called a halt then and there. + +"We're tired, anyway," he said, "and might as well spend the night here. +Besides, I just want to find a place were I can take a good look through +the glass up at that cliff near the top. It faces the West, all right, +you see; and the indications are that somewhere or other I'll find +signs of the queer windows belonging to some of those cave houses." + +The camp was made, and Charley Moi busied himself with his fire. Bob had +some things he wished to attend to; while Frank took the glass, and, +settling down in a place where he believed he could get a fair view of +the upper strata of colored rock, began carefully scrutinizing the +cliff. + +"The time is right, because the old Indian said the Westering sun shone +in the mouth of Echo Cave," Frank mused, as he pursued his work, not +disappointed because failure came in the beginning. + +Frank had been at work possibly six or eight minutes when he gave +utterance to a low exclamation. Then he fixed his field glasses upon a +certain spot as though something had caught his attention there. + +"Bob!" he called out. + +"Want me?" asked his chum from the spot where the fire was burning. + +"Yes, come here please," Frank continued. + +Bob quickly complied with the request. He knew that although his +camp-mate spoke in such a quiet tone, he had evidently made a discovery. +Frank could repress his feelings even in a moment of great excitement, +which was something beyond the ability of the more impetuous Kentucky +lad. + +"What have you found, Frank?" he asked, as he reached the side of the +other. + +"Here, take the glass," said Frank. "Point it toward that little cone +that seems to rise up like a chimney above the level of the cliff top. +Got it now? Well, let your glass slowly drop straight down the face of +the rock. Never mind the glint of the sun, and the fine rich color. I +know it's just glorious, and all that; but we're after something more +important now than pictures and color effects. What do you see, Bob?" + +"Honest now, I believe you've hit the bulls-eye this time, Frank." + +"Then you think they're windows, about after the same style as those +holes in the rock where we climbed up the ladders to the deserted homes +of the old time cliff dwellers?" asked the other. + +"Sure they are; no mistake about it, either," replied Bob, and then he +gave a low exclamation. + +"What did you see?" demanded Frank, as if suspecting the truth. + +"I don't know," came the reply; "but something seemed to move just +inside one of those openings. It may have been a garment fluttering in +the breeze that must be blowing so far up the heights; and then, again, +perhaps some hawk, or other bird, has its nest there, and just flew +past. I couldn't say, Frank; but I saw _something_, and it moved!" + +Frank took the glass, and looked long and earnestly. + +"Whatever it was," he remarked, "it doesn't mean to repeat the act. But +all the same, Bob, I've got a hunch we've found the place, and that Echo +Cave lies far up yonder in that beetling cliff." + +"It's a fierce reach up there," remarked Bob, as he scanned the height. +"How under the sun d'ye suppose that old professor could ever get up and +down? Too far for him to have a rope ladder; and even if he had, how +could he reach the place at first? Frank, all the way up, I can't see +the first sign of any rock shelves, where ladders might have rested long +ago." + +"That's so," replied the other, reflectively. "The face of the cliff is +as even and smooth as a floor. Nobody would ever look to find a cluster +of cliff dwellers' homes up there; that is, nobody but a man like +Professor Oswald, who has made a life study of such things, and knows +all the indications. But something tells me we're pretty near the end of +our long trail. The only question now is, how can we get in touch with +the hermit of Echo Cave?" + +As night settled down the two boys returned to the fire, still +perplexed. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +FINDING A WAY UP + + +That night they kept no fire going. Frank seemed to think it best that +they remain quiet, so as not to announce their presence in the +neighborhood. Though for that matter, it would seem that if any one were +perched aloft in one of those slits in the face of the cliff, that +represented the windows of the cave dwellings, the entire canyon below +must be spread out like a book. + +Nothing happened to disturb them. Once Frank thought he heard a distant +shout, and this excited his curiosity not a little. According to what +Charley Moi said they were now in a neighborhood where ordinary tourists +never visited. + +He thought of the two sheriffs and the lawless men they were pursuing. +Could it be possible that they were destined to run across those +desperate characters sooner or later? + +The thought was a disquieting one. It served to make Frank wakeful, and +his restlessness was communicated to Bob, although the latter did not +know what caused it. + +But if the fugitives from justice were loitering around in that +particular part of the Grand Canyon, either hiding from the determined +sheriffs, or looking for rich quarry, neither they or anyone else +disturbed the camp of the saddle boys. + +Again, in the morning, Charley Moi lighted a fire, and made ready to +prepare a modest breakfast. As Bob had said, their supplies were running +low, and unless something happened very soon the Chinaman would have to +be dispatched to the nearest store to replenish the food. + +Still thinking of the sound he had heard during the night, and which he +believed must have been a human voice, rather than the cry of some wild +animal, Frank, while they sat cross-legged around the fire, eating the +scanty meal, addressed himself to the Chinaman. + +"How many times have you come up this far, Charley Moi?" he asked. + +The other commenced to figure on his fingers. Having no counting board, +used so frequently by his countrymen in laundries, until they get +accustomed to the habits of the white man, he took this means of +tabulating. + +"Allee fingers and this much over," and he held up the first and second +fingers of one hand. + +"Ten and two, making twelve in all," declared Bob. "Well, you have +served the man-with-the-bald-head faithfully and long, Charley." + +"And in all these times I suppose you've never known anybody to be +around here?" Frank went on. + +Charley shook his head in the negative. + +"White man, no. Sometime Moqui come 'long, make for stlore down canlon +get glub. See same two, thlee times. Charley Moi see old Moqui last +night," the Chinaman replied. + +"What's that you say?" demanded Frank, hastily. "That you saw a Moqui +last night, and after we had come to halt right here?" + +"Thatee so," grinned the other, as though pleased to feel that he was +able to interest Frank so readily. + +"Just when did this happen, Charley Moi?" pursued the other. + +"Flank, Blob, down by river, make muchee look-look in glass," answered +Charley. + +"Now, what d'ye think of that?" ejaculated Bob, in disgust. "While we +were away from camp for ten minutes, something happened. Why couldn't it +have come about when we were on deck? There's a fine chance lost to get +track of Havasupai; for I reckon you believe the same as I do, Frank, +and that the old Moqui whom Charley saw was _our_ Indian?" + +"Seems like it, Bob," replied the other, "but don't cry yet. Perhaps it +may not be too late to remedy matters. See here, Charley Moi, could you +show me just where you saw this Moqui last?" + +The yellow-skinned guide smirked, and nodded his head until his pigtail +bobbed up and down like a bell rope. + +"Easy do," he observed, beginning to get upon his feet. + +"Come along Bob," remarked Frank. "We'd all better be present. Three +heads are better than one when it comes to a question of deciding what's +to be done." + +"Do you think you can track him, Frank?" questioned the Kentucky boy, +eagerly. + +"I'm going to try," was all Frank would say; for he was very modest with +regard to his accomplishments as a son of the prairie. + +Charley Moi was as good as his word. He seemed to remember just where he +had happened to spy the passing Indian when looking up from the making +of the fire. The Moqui had paid no attention to him; indeed, at the time +he was creeping past as though taking advantage of the absence of the +two boys in order to make a circuit of the camp near the big cliff. + +"Find 'em Frank?" asked Bob, after he had seen his chum bending down +over the ground for half a minute. + +"Yes, and they are the tracks of an Indian too, for they toe in," Frank +replied. "Besides, they are made by moccasins instead of shoes or boots +with heels. And if I needed any further proof to tell me our friend +Havasupai made these tracks, and not a strange Moqui, I have it in the +queer patch across the toe of his right moccasin, which I noticed when +he was with us before." + +"That's just fine!" Bob exclaimed, filled with pride over the way in +which his chum seemed able to fix the facts so that they could not be +questioned. "And will you start after him right away, Frank?" + +"Watch me; that's all," came the reply, as Frank began to move away, +still bending low in order to follow the faint traces of footprints on +the rock and scanty soil. + +The others came close at his heels, Bob with a look of assurance on his +face, because he felt positive that the game would now be tracked to its +hiding place; and Charley Moi picturing his wonder on his moon-like +countenance. + +So the prairie lad led them in and out among the rocks, and the scrub +that grew close to the verge of the river. Several times he seemed a +little in doubt, as the marks faded entirely away; but on such occasions +his common-sense came to the rescue, and, after a look around, Frank was +able to once more find the trail. + +"Here's where it ends!" + +When Frank made this remark Bob could not keep from expressing his +surprise. + +He gaped upward at the bare-faced wall that arose for hundreds of feet, +without any particular ledge or outcropping where even a nimble Indian +could find safe lodgment for his moccasined feet. + +"But, Frank, however could the old Moqui get up there to see Uncle +Felix?" he asked. "D'ye suppose he made some sort of signal, and the +hermit lowered a long rope with a noose at the end, which would draw him +up? Wow! excuse me from ever trying to fly in that way! It would make me +so dizzy I'd be sure to drop, and get smashed." + +"You're beating on the wrong track, Bob," remarked the other. "No rope +could be lowered all that distance; and even if it could no one man +would be able to pull another all the way up." + +"But there must be some way of getting to the place where the slits in +the face of the cliff tell of windows. However do you think he did it, +Frank?" + +"Just because you don't happen to see a ladder, Bob, is no evidence +there isn't a way to mount upward. One thing about this great cliff I +guess you didn't happen to notice. That shows you pass things by. Look +again, and you'll see that it seems to have been split by some volcanic +smash, ages ago. There's a regular crevice running slantingly up the +face of the rock. You see it now, don't you?" + +"Sure I do; and I was blind not to take notice of the same before," Bob +replied. "Fact is, I did see that uneven mark, but just thought it was a +fault in the make of the cliff, as a miner would say." + +"Well, that crack extends four-fifths of the way up to the top; and far +enough to reach the place where we noticed all those dark marks, which +we believed must be windows of the many rooms or houses of the cliff +dwellers. Get that, Bob?" + +"Sure I do, Frank, and after your explanation I can see what you're +aiming at. But where does that ragged crevice start from down here, do +you think?" + +Frank stepped forward. Just as if he had it all figured out, he bent +down, and with his hand drew aside the bushes that grew against the base +of the cliff. + +"Well, I declare, there it is for a fact!" exclaimed Bob, as he saw a +rough opening before him, which came almost together five feet from the +ground, leaving only a dark, uneven, slanting line that crawled up the +face of the cliff like the photograph of a zigzag bolt of lightning +taken with a snapshot camera. + +"There you are," said Frank, with a broad smile. "Unless all signs fail, +here's the entrance to the mysterious Echo Cave. We have been more than +lucky to find it with so little trouble." + +"Just to think of it," remarked Bob, as he bent over to look up into the +gap as well as he was able; "here's where the queer old Professor has +been hiding for all this time, and no one any the wiser. But Frank, +however in the wide world do you suppose he found out the way to get up +there?" + +"We would have found it sooner or later, even if Charley Moi had not +seen the old Indian moving along," replied Frank, with the confidence of +one who knows what he is talking about. + +"Y--yes, I reckon we would, after you'd prowled around a little, and had +some chance to look the ground over. Then you believe he must have found +the presence of those windows looking out of the cliff just like we did; +by using a powerful glass? And, thinking that here was the very place +for him to hide and study, he set about looking for the road up, and +found it, very likely." + +"He did it by using common sense, and applying all he knew about the +ways of these people of the long ago," replied Frank. "And you can see +that if he chose, he could have thrown that bottle out of one of the +openings up there, so that it would drop in the passing current of the +Colorado, to be carried down-stream until somebody saw it; and finding +the message to my father, sent or carried it to Circle Ranch." + +"Well," observed Bob, with a gleam in his eye, "now that we've found a +way to get up to Echo Cave, have we the nerve to start in?" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +FORTUNE STILL FAVORS THE BRAVE + + +Instead of replying at once to this question, as Bob undoubtedly thought +his chum would do, Frank seemed to give a start. He dropped to his hands +and knees, and seemed to be examining some marks on the ground. + +If ever the fair knowledge of reading tracks which Frank possessed was +called upon to do duty, it was now. Bob, of course, could not understand +what possessed his comrade; but simply stood there and stared, wondering +what Frank had found to cause him to exhibit such breathless interest, +and all the signs of unusual excitement. + +When finally the lad on his knees did look up, Bob saw a grave +expression on his face. + +"There's something wrong, Frank; tell me what it is?" he demanded. + +"I've made an unpleasant discovery, Bob," replied the other. "Charley!" +he added turning to the wondering Celestial, "go back to our camp, and +bring our guns right away, both of them, see?" + +"Yep, bloss, me unelstand. Charley Moi gettee gluns light away quick!" +and as he said this the obliging Chinaman went on a run, his pigtail and +blue blouse flying out behind him. + +"Say, whatever does all this mystery mean, Frank?" asked Bob, almost +helplessly. + +"Just what you might imagine; that there's danger hanging about us, +Bob." + +The eyes of the astonished Bob sought the ground at the point where his +chum had been so deeply interested. + +"Then it must be something you just discovered there, and that's a +fact," he declared; "because you didn't act this way three minutes ago." + +"I happened to discover footprints coming from another quarter," Frank +went on, calmly; "and they headed into this crevice, just as those of +the moccasined Moqui did from that side. And they came after old +Havasupai had gone up, for I found where they wiped out a part of one of +his tracks." + +"Footprints, and were they made by the old professor, do you think?" +asked Bob. + +"Not any. Fact is," observed Frank, as though deciding to have the worst +over, "they were the tracks of three persons, all men!" + +"Oh! my! three, you said, Frank; and that would mean Eugene, Spanish +Joe, and Abajo, wouldn't it?" + +"Just the very ones I meant," replied Frank. + +"Then they must have been hiding some place near here, and saw the Moqui +pass in?" suggested Bob, fully aroused by now. + +"That seems to be what happened," Frank observed. "But here comes +Charley Moi with the guns. See how he dodges about, so as to keep hidden +from the view of anybody up in those windows above, which we can't +glimpse from here." + +When Bob eagerly took his repeating rifle from the hands of the Chinaman +he exhibited all the evidence of great satisfaction; for he heaved a +sigh of relief, and fondled his weapon in a way that caused his comrade +to smile. + +"I feel better now," Bob confessed; "because, to tell the honest truth, +when you broke the news so suddenly it nearly gave me heart failure, +Frank, to think that if those rascals sprang out at us we would be next +door to helpless. Now let 'em be careful how they play their little +game. But what does it all mean, do you suppose, Frank?" + +"I can only make a guess, and that may be wide of the truth," the other +admitted. "By some accident they managed to get on the track of the +Moqui. Though Havasupai thought himself smart, he was no match for such +a cunning rascal as Spanish Joe, who is said to be the best trailer +along the Arizona border. And they followed him right here." + +"That was last evening, just when you and I stood there down by the +river, looking through the glasses up at the windows of the rock houses +above," remarked Bob. + +"Yes. Perhaps they didn't go up right then." Frank went on. "I admit +that I can't just make out how long ago these tracks were made. A better +trailer might, you see, Bob. If Old Hank Coombs were only here now I'd +be glad to turn the whole business over to him, and play second fiddle." + +"But some time between dark and morning these three rascals went in +here, and surprised the hermit of Echo Cave--is that it, Frank?" + +"It covers the case all right," came the reply. + +"Say, do you think they are up there yet?" asked the Kentucky lad, in an +anxious tone. + +"I think they must be, Bob, because all the tracks point one way, +showing that the three men never came back. If they left the cave it +must have been by some other way." + +"No use asking why they would want to get in touch with Uncle Felix!" +continued Bob, as if bent on finding out everything he could in +connection with the case. + +"We know what their reason was," Frank made answer. "When Abajo, hanging +about the window of our ranch house, heard what we had to say about the +message that came floating down the Colorado in that bottle, and carried +the wonderful news to his employer, Eugene Warringford, he set the game +going that must end right here. He has come with the intention of making +Professor Oswald turn over that option to him; and he'll do it unless +something we can offer prevents." + +"But Frank, if the Moqui carried that note of yours to Uncle Felix, he +would be on his guard, and absolutely refuse to sign away the papers?" + +"I hope he will, but I fear that those three scamps are up there right +now, trying to coax or bulldoze him into signing," Frank said, with a +tightening of his lips, and a flash of his clear eyes. + +"Then we go up, and put a spoke in their wheel, do we?" asked Bob, +looking as if he were ready to make the start instantly, if his comrade +but gave the word. + +Frank glanced around him a little uncertainly. + +"I've got a good notion to try it," he muttered as if talking to +himself. + +"What's that you say, Frank?" asked his companion, who had caught the +words, and did not know what to make of them. + +"I didn't tell you, Bob," Frank remarked; "but during the night I +thought I heard a voice calling far away yonder. And somehow it struck +me at the time that there was a familiar cowboy yell about it." + +"Old Hank Coombs, perhaps, Frank?" suggested the other lad, quickly. + +"That was on my mind, Bob. You know history often repeats itself. Once +before, just when we seemed to need Hank the worst way, he came riding +along as if he had heard us call. And I was wondering whether he might +not be somewhere around here right now." + +"That would be just prime, if only we could get in touch with him," Bob +declared. "And, as your father wouldn't send Hank alone, there'd be one +more cowboy along. That would make a party of four. Why, those three +rascals would just shrivel, and throw up the sponge, if they saw us +break in on 'em. But Frank, how about making the old range call?" + +"D'ye know, I was just thinking it might do to try it," remarked the +other. + +"Then start in and give the whoop," Bob observed. "No harm done anyhow; +even if they hear it up there. And while you're doing all that, I'll +just drop on one knee here, and cover the crack in the wall. Suppose one +of the lot should try and come out while we were off our guard. I'll +make him surrender quicker than he can say 'Jack Robinson'!" + +Presently there sounded upon the morning air the clear "cooee" of the +range, particularly well known to every cowboy who had worked at Circle +Ranch. Frank and Bob listened eagerly to learn whether there would come +any response. If not, then they must take up the task of climbing that +singular crevice by themselves; and finding out how affairs stood above. + +Their suspense was short-lived, for quickly there floated to their +waiting ears a responsive call. Turning toward the quarter from whence +it seemed to come they saw a hat waving. + +"It's Old Hank, sure it is!" exclaimed Bob, with a thrill of delight; +for the burden of going up against three desperate characters was more +than boy nature could stand without more or less uneasiness. + +"That's Chesty with him," announced Frank, as two figures were +discovered coming toward them. "Why, if we'd made all the arrangements +ourselves we couldn't have done better, Bob. Here comes our +reinforcements just in the nick of time. And if Eugene and his backers +are still up yonder in the cliff dwellers' homes, they have stayed a +little while too long, that's all." + +In another three minutes the boys were shaking hands with Old Hank and +Chesty; the latter with a cheerful grin on his face, as though he +considered it quite a joke to break in on Frank's game at the finishing +point. + +Of course they were ignorant as to how matters stood. And Frank took +upon himself the task of explaining all that had happened. + +"Ther up yonder yet, then," announced Hank, after he had carefully +inspected the footprints, and noted that they all pointed one way; "that +is to say, if they ain't got an airyplane along as would allow of them +flying off. An' Frank, when ye sez the word we'uns are goin' t' walk up +this rock ladder t' see what sorter place the ole perfessor keeps." + +"Then I say it now," declared Frank, anxious to have the thing settled +one way or the other without further delay. + +"Foller arter me, all of ye!" called the old plainsman, as he plunged +into the gap. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +ANOTHER SURPRISE + + +"One thing, we won't need torches this time, Hank!" remarked Bob as he +prepared to follow after the leader. + +"I reckons not, Bobby," chuckled the veteran cowman, who knew that +something about the situation must have recalled their entering that +cave that day where sly old Sallie and her half-grown whelps awaited +their coming with bared teeth. + +Just back of Hank came Chesty, who was a very ambitious young fellow, +and always to be counted on with regard to obtaining his proper share in +every little excitement that happened. Then Frank filed along; and at +his heels Bob climbed; while Charley Moi brought up the rear, bent on +seeing all that might come to pass. + +The crevice immediately began to mount upward, just as Frank had +anticipated it would. There were times when the climbing was pretty +steep, and Frank began to wonder what sort of agile man this old and +stubborn Professor Oswald could be, to overcome such difficulties so +often, while in the pursuit of his hobby. + +Bob was soon panting, but no less bent on "keeping up with the +procession," as he himself put it. They had been going back from the +face of the cliff pretty much all the time, so that there was really no +chance to take an observation, in order to tell just how far up they had +come. + +Frank felt sure, however, after this labor had kept up for quite a long +time, that they must now be getting near the top of the break, or where +the crooked crack in the face of the rock ended. + +He tried to picture what they would find. If Eugene and his reckless +backers had been in possession of the place for some hours now, they +must have tried all sorts of expedients in order to compel the professor +to reveal the secret hiding place of the valuable document, and make it +over to them. Nor would such heartless men hesitate long about adopting +torture in order to force a confession from the unwilling victim. + +Then Frank wondered if the three rascals would attempt any tactics +looking to holding the attacking force at bay. They were well armed, no +doubt, and having such a rich treasure hanging in the scales, it might +be expected that they would hate to let it slip from their covetous +grasp without putting up some sort of fight. + +But all that could be left to Old Hank. For many years he had been the +leading figure in all the affairs that centered around Circle Ranch. Did +the rustlers run off part of the herd, the veteran was put in charge of +the pursuing force. Sometimes the sly marauders got off scot free; but +more often they paid dearly for their audacity in picking out Colonel +Haywood's ranch as the scene of their foray. + +Frank really had no fears as to the result, now that Hank had arrived on +the scene to direct operations. The three schemers might give them some +trouble, but they could not carry the day. + +"Please let a fellow rest up a little, Hank!" came from Bob, finally. + +The old cow puncher understood that the pace had been too warm for the +tenderfoot; and he considerately halted. Perhaps none of the climbers +were averse to a breathing spell before the final round. It would put +them in better condition for the wind-up, whatever that might prove to +be. + +"Frank," whispered Bob, as he pulled at the trouser leg of his chum so +as to induce him to bend down closer. + +"What's the row?" asked the other, in somewhat the same guarded tone, as +he managed to double over, and bring his face close to that of his +friend. + +"Charley Moi has just told me something," Bob went on. "You know we +found out before now that he's got the greatest pair of ears ever for +hearing things? Well, he says there's something or some one following us +up this old crack!" + +"Whew! that's nice, now. A regular procession, it seems," remarked +Frank. + +"Who d'ye think it can be; and would a bear or a mountain lion pick up +our tracks this way?" continued Bob, who was trying to work his rifle +around, so as to cover the rear. + +"Wait! Let's all listen, after I send the word along to Hank and +Chesty," remarked Frank. + +When this had been done even the old cowman thought well enough of the +idea to wait until they could find out the nature of the sounds that had +reached the keen hearing of the wide-awake Chinaman. + +It was only half light in the break of the rock, and the passage they +had been following thus far was so very crooked that no one could see +more than twenty feet down the trail. + +Still every eye was fastened on that point where the advancing man or +animal would first appear. Frank, too, had his rifle bearing on the +spot; and taken as a whole the appearance of the little company, +flattened out against the break in the mighty rock wall, was rather +threatening. + +All of them could catch the sounds below now. Whoever came up the rock +ladder must be unused to negotiating such a stairway, for they rattled +small bits of loose shale down at times; and Frank felt sure he could +hear a panting sound, very much like that which tired Bob had been +making a minute ago. + +And, as he listened, Frank made a discovery that caused him to tighten +his grip on that reliable repeating rifle. There were two of the +pursuers! And he anticipated that the leader must come in sight ere +another dozen seconds passed! + +There was some sort of movement now, down in the region of the little +twist where the steep stairway of the old cliff dwellers made a turn. +Then a head and shoulders came into view. + +Frank chuckled aloud. Just in almost that last second of time he had +suddenly guessed the truth, when, in this clinging figure that was +staring upward, as though filled with genuine surprise, he recognized an +old friend. + +It was Mr. Stanwix, the sheriff of the county! + +He and his mate from the adjoining division of Coconino must have just +had a glimpse of Charley Moi disappearing in the dark hole at the base +of the cliff; and, being in pursuit of two shrewd law breakers, who had +been known to appear in other dress than that of cowmen, perhaps the +officers had concluded that here was something that ought to be +investigated. + +Frank immediately made a friendly gesture with one hand. He did not want +to risk the chances of being fired upon by the officers of the law, who +might take the little party for bad men. Then he beckoned in a fashion +that the sheriff must readily understand to mean caution, and silence. + +They saw Mr. Stanwix bend down as though he might be explaining to his +fellow officer what an astonishing thing had happened. After that he +came on, climbing the steep rock ladder as an exhausted person might. +Yet his nature was like that of the bulldog; and once he had started to +do a thing, nothing could make him stop. + +When he arrived at a point where he could make his way alongside Frank, +squeezing past Charley Moi and Bob, the sheriff of Yavapai County turned +an inquiring look upon his young friend. + +Whereupon Frank started in to tell him just who the other three in the +party happened to be; and that they were bent upon foiling the lawless +game of three rascals plotting for a big stake. + +In return Mr. Stanwix intimated that they had suspected something wrong +when they saw from a little distance two persons, and one of them a +Chinaman, disappearing in a cleft of the rocks. Further explanations +must await a better opportunity, however. They were now too near the +series of chambers connecting with one another to hesitate longer. + +Besides, who could say what might not be going on up there a little +further, in those holes in the wall where, ages ago, the singular people +whom Professor Oswald loved to study about, had their homes, and lived +on from year to year? + +Old Hank, when he once more started upward, seemed to have become much +more cautious. Frank could easily guess the reason. There was a strong +possibility that the three schemers might have learned of their presence +in the vicinity ere now. And of course Eugene knew full well why Frank +and Bob had come to the Grand Canyon from their ranch home. + +Suspecting that sooner or later the two boys might discover the way up +to the cliff house, they would be apt to lay a trap of some sort, +thinking to catch them napping when they ascended. + +Old Hank could not be taken unawares any easier than might the wary +weasel that has never been seen asleep by mortal eyes. + +Frank, keeping well up by the heels of the little cowboy's boots, was +ready to draw himself upward at the first sign of trouble. He knew when +Hank had reached the top of the singular stairway fashioned by Nature +for the benefit of those who built their habitations near the top of +the cliff, far beyond the reach of enemies in the valley below. + +A few seconds of suspense followed, while Chesty was following the +veteran into the first hollowed-out apartment. Nothing followed where +Frank had been expecting all manner of evil things. + +"Perhaps they're asleep," was the new thought that flashed through his +brain. He did not know what manner of man Uncle Felix was. + +Now they were all gathered there in that outer chamber that might be +called an ante-room of the various apartments running along the face of +the cliff for some distance. + +Even Charley Moi was there, full of curiosity, and willing to lend a +hand after a fashion. Bob looked around; just as his chum had done as +soon as he entered. He saw that some one had certainly been there +recently. There were plenty of evidences to that effect. + +Old Hank raised his hand with the forefinger elevated. It was recognized +as a signal for absolute silence by all the others. Even Bob restrained +his desire to ask questions; and every one listened, as if expecting to +catch sounds. + +Was that a human voice? + +Frank started a trifle as the idea came to him. Still, it might only +have been an additionally strong movement of the breeze; turning some +angle that caused it to give forth a sound. + +He turned to see if any of the others had heard, and judged from the way +old Hank had his head raised that he, too, had caught the sound; also +that it appealed to him as full of significance. + +Again the veteran waved his hand. This time it meant not only caution, +but an invitation to advance. Hank was about to pass into the next +apartment, and wished the others to keep close at his heels. + +Bob was quivering all over with the fever of suspense, as well as +pent-up eagerness. He did not know just how much longer he could hold +in; for he wanted to yell. Still, he did not do it. Since coming to this +wonderland country of the Southwest he had learned many lessons in the +way of self control; and every day he was gaining more and more of a +mastery over himself. + +Now Hank was in the second room, and still heading onward toward another +hole in the wall, evidently the only means of communication between the +various houses forming the little community. + +When he reached this, voices were plainly heard beyond. Hank kept right +on, heading for yet a third doorway; and whoever was doing the talking, +he or they must be in that further apartment; so that in another minute +Frank expected to have his curiosity fully satisfied. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE LITTLE OLD MAN OF ECHO CAVE + + +"You admit you have carried the document with you, and that it's only a +question of refusing to produce it, Professor?" + +Frank recognized that drawling voice. He had heard his father's cousin, +Eugene Warringford, speak many times, and generally in this slow way. +But Frank also knew that back of his apparently careless manner there +was more or less venom. Eugene could hate, and hide his feelings in a +masterly manner. He could smile, and then strike behind the back of the +one with whom he was dealing. And somehow his very drawling voice always +made Frank quiver with instinctive dislike. + +"I admit nothing, sir," came another voice, quick and nervous, yet with +a firmness that told of considerable spirit. "You come upon me in my +retreat without an invitation, and at first claim to be a warm admirer +of my work, which you seem to have studied fairly well. But now you are +taking the mask off, sir; and I can recognize the wolf under the sheep's +clothing." + +Frank had heard that the old scientist, though a small man, was full of +grit; and he could well believe it after hearing him speak. + +And Bob, who crouched close at the side of his chum, gave Frank a nudge +as if to say: "What do you think of that for nerve; isn't he the limit, +though?" + +Eugene laughed in his lazy way at being accused of evil intentions. +Apparently he had about made up his mind that there was no use in longer +beating about the bush. He had the old gentleman cooped up in this +isolated place, where no assistance could possibly reach him. And backed +up himself by a couple of reckless rascals, no doubt Eugene considered +himself in a position to demand obedience. + +"Well, my dear old gentleman," he remarked, and by the sound Frank +imagined the fellow must be lighting a fresh cigarette, for he seemed to +puff between the words; "just as you say, what's the use of carrying the +joke on any longer. Let's be brutally frank with each other from now +on." + +"Very well," replied the other, quickly. "Here's the situation then, in +a nutshell. You suddenly appear before me, with a couple of men you +claim are guides, but whom I have every reason to believe are low +minions who are simply in your pay." + +"Careful, Professor," Eugene broke in. "I'd advise you to go a bit +slow. These men talk English, if they do look like Mexicans; and they +may resent being called rascals." + +"Let that pass," continued the hermit of Echo Cave, as though waving the +matter aside contemptuously. "At any rate, you come suddenly into my +habitation here, where I have spent many happy months in solitude, +wrapped up in my studies of the people of the cliffs, who spent their +lives in this very place, and who have left many traces of their customs +behind. My work is almost finished, and in another week I expected +leaving here for civilization, with a masterly book on the subject that +has mystified the world for a century." + +"Come to the point, Professor," broke in the man with the drawl; "and +keep all this about your studies for those of your kind, who may +appreciate them. We are concerned only about one thing; and that is a +certain paper which you will presently take from its hiding-place, sign +over to me, and then finish your labors here in peace. Understand that?" + +"By good luck I was forewarned," the sharp voice went on; "and hence I +made sure not to carry that document on my person. You have taken the +liberty of searching every inch of these cliff houses since you arrived +here, but without success. And allow me to inform you, sir, that you +might hunt until the day of doom without the slightest chance of finding +that paper. It will never be yours!" + +"Oh! I am not worrying in the least, Professor," Eugene remarked, +coolly. "You will see a great light presently, I imagine." + +"I have already done so, sir," came the snappy reply. "I am awakening to +the fact that too long have I been neglecting my daughter; and that +since this investment of mine has turned out so happily, it must become +her property." + +"Very nice and thoughtful of you, Professor," sneered Eugene; "and while +I dislike to spoil such delightful plans, I fear I must do so. It is my +nature to persist in anything I undertake. And I have made up my mind to +possess that document; or make you pay dearly for my disappointment." + +"Now you begin to descend to low threats, sir," cried the scientist, who +did not seem to be a particle afraid; which proved the truth of the old +saying that courage does not necessarily need a big tenement. + +"We have hunted high and low through this series of ratholes, and +without any success," observed Eugene, beginning to bite off his words, +as though unable to much longer keep up the pretense of being calm. +"What have you done with that old Moqui who came up here ahead of us?" + +"Ah! you saw him enter the hidden stairway, then, and that was how you +learned the way to reach these cliff dwellings?" exclaimed the other, as +though one thing that had bothered him was now explained. + +"Yes, that was how it came about," answered Eugene. "We have followed +him like his own shadow for days, and yet he knew it not. Age must have +dimmed the sight and hearing of the warrior. After we saw him pass +upward, on investigating, we found the stone ladder in the crevice, and +we waited several hours for him to come down, for we wanted to make sure +of him first. As he did not appear, we finally could stand it no longer, +and began to creep up here, inches at a time. Then we surprised you, and +announced our intention of stopping with you." + +"Yes," declared the scientist, bitterly. "First you pretended that you +were sent out by a magazine to search for me, and get some points as to +my great work here among the Zunis, the Hopis and the Moquis. But I soon +discovered that you had another motive in trying to find Professor +Oswald. You began to hint about your desire to possess stock in certain +mines, and especially in one, the ownership of which I had carried in my +hand for some years. Besides, I had been warned of your real intentions, +and was on my guard." + +"What became of that old Moqui Indian?" went on Eugene. "He climbed up, +but he did not come down. We guarded that stairway closely every minute +of the time. We have searched every room in this rabbit burrow that we +could discover; but still he does not show up. Have you put him away in +some place, the entrance to which is hidden from our eyes?" + +The only reply to this question was a scornful laugh. As Bob would say, +it was as if the defiant little professor had flashed out. + +"Don't you wish you knew?" + +"Well, as the document and the Moqui have both vanished mysteriously, +there's only one thing I can conclude," went on Eugene, between his +teeth; "and that is they must be together at this very moment. Produce +the one, and the other will be found not far away." + +"What a wise man you are, sir!" remarked the little scientist, with a +sneer. + +"Perhaps I may prove a more successful one than you imagine," returned +Eugene, between furious puffs. "Now, all the time I have been turning +this old lot of rabbit burrows upside down I've been thinking a whole +lot, Professor." + +"Bravo!" exclaimed the other clapping his hands vigorously; "it will +certainly do you a great amount of good, sir, for I imagine you seldom +treat yourself to such a luxury as a good hard think. And may I inquire +concerning the result of your labors in that line?" + +"First of all, I sized you up as a mighty stubborn little bit of +humanity." + +"Oh! thank you, sir. Really, I am disposed to accept that as a +compliment; for you see, a man of my profession could never succeed +unless he had mastered his inclination for an easy life, and had become +a stoic. And what else did you happen to decide after this wonderful fit +of thinking, may I ask, sir?" + +"This: I made up my mind that once you declined to produce that +document, to secure which I have come a great distance, and undergone +considerable fatigue, that no threat of bodily harm would induce you to +alter your decision!" + +"It is really very interesting to hear you say this, sir," remarked the +one who had lived in that lofty cave for many months, poring over the +queer things that he unearthed from time to time in the ruins of the +cliff dwellers' homes. "And after reaching such a conclusion as that, +how comes it you persisted in trying to carry out your original +intention?" + +"Because I had another arrow in my quiver, Professor!" remarked Eugene, +in a penetrating voice, that had a ring of anticipated triumph in it. + +"H'm! torture, perhaps?" suggested the other; "but my dear sir, nothing +of that nature could make me open my lips. I would die rather than +submit to your proposals." + +"But wait a bit, my old friend," chuckled Eugene; "there are two kinds +of torture, that of the body, and of the mind!" + +"I suppose you are right, sir," the little scientist remarked; "but +honestly, now, I fail to understand the drift of your remarks." + +"Then it shall be my pleasure to enlighten you, Professor," Eugene +continued. "Pay attention to me now, and you will quickly have the +cataract removed from your eyes. Is there anything in the world that you +value above that document which you know by this time has suddenly +increased in value many times over?" + +"I can think of but one thing--my daughter Janice!" replied the other, +quickly. "And she is far beyond your reach in the East." + +"Ah yes, quite true, Professor," the schemer went on; "more's the pity. +But I think you make a mistake when you say that your daughter is the +only thing on earth you value above the million that has suddenly +dropped at your feet. How about this, Professor?" + +He evidently held something up, for the other immediately uttered a +startled cry. + +"The manuscript of my forthcoming book on the mysteries of the cliff +dwellers of the Grand Canyon! The hard work of three long years of +exile! A labor of love that I expected will place my name among the +front ranks of scientists!" + +"Exactly!" sneered Eugene. "Just keep back, Professor, please. My men +are not in any too pleasant a mood, and I would not answer for what they +might do to you if you made the first effort to snatch this thing from +my hands. Sit down again, and let us reason together." + +"You wretch! Now I begin to see your game. You would threaten to destroy +all my precious work of years, in order to obtain a miserable paper." + +At that Eugene laughed loudly. + +"It may be all you say, Professor," he remarked; "but it represents a +snug little fortune that I'd like to possess. The future would be mighty +pleasant, once I made that fine hit. And if it appears like so much +trash in your eyes, my dear man, there should no longer be any +hesitation about giving it up to me. Think of the work you have done. It +couldn't be replaced, Professor, I imagine? If now I should deliberately +take a match out of my pocket like this, strike the same, and apply the +busy little flame to these papers, the history of the Zunis, the Hopis, +the Moquis, and their ancestors the cliff dwellers, would be forever +lost to the world, wouldn't it?" + +"Stop, you wretch!" cried the excited hermit, who was apparently +greatly alarmed at seeing his precious manuscript in peril. + +"Ah! do you then consent to open your mouth, and tell what I want to +know?" demanded his tormentor. + +"Is there no other way out?" asked the prisoner of the cave, hopelessly. + +"None," replied Eugene, harshly. "My men are watching for the Moqui to +show up every second, and with orders to shoot him on sight. So don't +indulge in any hope that he can save you. There, the match has burned +itself out; but remember, Professor, there are others, plenty of them, +where that came from. I will give you one minute to produce that paper." + +The scientist uttered a sigh that was plainly heard. + +"I suppose I must yield to fate then," he said, dismally. "But you +promise to return my papers to me after I have complied with your +outrageous demands?" + +"To be sure I will, and only too gladly," replied the other, eagerly. "I +don't want to make the terms too hard on you, old man. Only you must +choose now between losing either the fortune, or your work of years. And +perhaps we'd find the document after all, too. Speak up; where is it?" + +"Examine that rock stool on which you are seated, and you will find +that it can be moved," the voice of the hermit went on, steadily. +"There, now that you have over-turned the seat, you discover something +in the cavity. Keep your word, and place in my hands my precious packet +of manuscript. Threats of taking my life might not move me; but when you +place in peril that on which my reputation as a scientist must be based, +it is too much. Thank you, sir; I see you are a man of your word. And I +will sign the papers just as you may wish to have done." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +TURNING THE TABLES--CONCLUSION + + +"Come on in, boys!" + +Old Hank Coombs had stood all the while this intensely interesting +dialogue was going on, as though glued to the spot. Indeed, not one of +the party in the adjoining apartment of the cliff dwellers' cave but who +had kept drinking in the conversation as though it fairly fascinated +them. + +But when the old cow puncher realized that to all appearances the +outrageous scheme of Eugene had worked only too well, and that the +precious document was even then in the hands of the smooth-tongued +plotter, he suddenly awoke to the fact that perhaps they had waited a +little too long. + +Through the opening that served as a doorway between the apartments he +jumped, followed immediately by Chesty, the two sheriffs, and finally +the saddle boys, with Charley Moi bringing up the rear. + +Of course their unexpected coming created quite a breeze among those +whom they thus surprised. The little man who wore the goggles seemed +delighted, and immediately started to place himself, and his precious +manuscript, in a position where he might be covered by these welcome +allies. + +Spanish Joe and Abajo had started to draw their weapons; but when they +discovered that they had already been covered, and recognized several +among the newcomers as old companions on Circle Ranch, they promptly +elevated their hands. + +Eugene looked just as ugly as he felt. The prize had apparently been +about to fall into his hands, like a ripe apple, when this change of +front had to occur. + +He kept his wits about him, however, and like the shrewd fox that he +was, played the game to the limit for his own safety. + +"Keep your friends back, Professor Oswald!" he shouted, as he managed to +interpose what looked like a stone table between himself and the two +sheriffs, who had their hungry eyes on him. "See here, unless you +promise on your word of honor not to proceed against me for this little +game that didn't work, I'll tear this paper that's worth a million into +little bits, no matter what happens to me afterwards! Do you hear, +Professor?" + +Frank caught his breath. After all the hard work which he and Bob had +put in to save that precious document for Janice, was it to be lost? + +He wanted to fly at the man, and snatch it from his hands; but did not +dare; for only too well did he know that at the first hostile move +Eugene would proceed to put his threat into execution. + +To his intense surprise the little man with the big glasses seemed to be +shaking as with a convulsion of laughter. It did not seem as though he +worried about the fate of the document Eugene held so rigidly, while +awaiting an answer to his demand. + +"Do just as you please about that, my friend," chuckled the scientist. +"If it would afford you any enjoyment to destroy the paper you are +holding, I wouldn't cheat you out of it for the world." + +"But--" stammered the defeated plotter, "it would render void all your +right to taking possession of the San Bernardino mine, if this document +were destroyed!" + +"Oh! dear no, not at all," exclaimed the other, cheerily. "The fact is, +that paper is even now on the way to the nearest post office, addressed +to my friend and relative, Colonel Haywood, and is to go by registered +mail." + +"That Moqui Indian--" gasped Eugene, falling back helplessly. + +"Exactly, he carries the packet, with orders to let nothing divert him +from his one purpose," observed the scientist; while Bob nudged his +chum in the side, unable to restrain his delight over the wonderful +outcome of the knotty problem. + +"How did he get out of here?" asked Eugene. "We watched the stone +stairway every minute of the time, and he didn't go down that way." + +"Oh! well, in my prowling around here, month after month," explained the +hermit, "I managed to find a way the old cliff dwellers had for reaching +the summit of the rocks, in case of necessity. The Moqui possessed the +nerve required to crawl along the face of the cliff on a narrow ledge, +and make the exit. He is miles away by now, and my daughter's +inheritance is safe!" + +"But--this paper here," asked Eugene, faintly; yet with curiosity +governing his actions; "it seems to be a legal document, transferring a +majority of the shares of the San Bernardino mine over to you if the +further conditions are fulfilled within a certain time?" + +"To be sure," laughed the other, "that was the first copy, you might +say. There was some little defect about it, which we discovered after it +was signed; so a second copy was made. If you had examined that one +closer you would have found that the stamp necessary to make it legal +was lacking. Somehow I happened to keep both copies, never dreaming how +valuable this bogus one might prove." + +Eugene threw the paper angrily to the floor. + +"I'm done!" he cried, shaking his head. "Come on, Mr. Stanwix, if you +are after me, and put the irons on; though I don't think you've got any +show of convicting me of any unlawful game. I claim to have come here to +interview this famous old gentleman about the wonderful discoveries he +has made connected with these people of the cliffs. I expected to make a +big sum in selling the article to a magazine. Perhaps you might give me +more or less trouble if you cared; but then it's another thing to show +proof. And the professor wouldn't like to stay out here long months, +waiting for the case to come on." + +"That's where you're right, my tall friend," chirped the little +scientist; "and as my work is almost finished I do not mean to let +anything detain me from getting my book in the hands of the printers." + +"Hear that, Mr. Stanwix; he says we're going to get off easy, and you +might as well wish us good day right now?" exclaimed Eugene, nodding to +the Yavapai sheriff, whom he appeared to know. + +"Well, there's no hurry," remarked that official, pleasantly. "On the +whole, my opinion is that it would be good policy to keep you locked up +until we know that the document has reached the hands of the one to whom +it was sent, and who is, I believe, the father of our friend, Frank, +here." + +"I agree with you, Mr. Sheriff!" declared the old hermit of the cave. +"Because if he were set free I fear he would chase after the United +States mail, if a single hope remained of stealing my property. Yes, +kindly keep him by you until I come around with news." + +Then he turned to the two cow punchers, who had stood moodily by, +listening to all that was being said. + +"I have no use for either of you men," he remarked, shaking a finger at +them; "so the sooner you get down out of this place, the better. And +while I continue to remain here a few days, I'm going to ask these brave +lads to keep me company as a guard of honor. I've many things to show +that may interest them. And I want to accompany Frank to his home a +little later, if possible." + +And so it was arranged. Old Hank and Chesty declared that their orders +had been to stay as long as Frank and Bob did; so they also took up +their quarters in the apartments that went to make up what the little +old gentleman had called Echo Cave. + +The two sheriffs took their prisoner away, to place him in some secure +nook while they continued their search for the pair of scoundrels whom +they had hunted so long, and were determined to get this time. + +As they will not be seen again in this story it may only be right to say +that Frank afterwards read an account in a paper of how the sheriffs +finally rounded up the Arizona Kid and Big Bill Guffey, arresting them +after a warm resistance in which all of the participants were wounded. +And in due time doubtless the bad men who had so long defied the law, +paid the penalty for their various crimes. + +The saddle boys certainly did enjoy the few days they spent with the +queer little hermit, while he completed his odd business in the rock +dwellings of the ancient cliff men. + +They found the echo which had caused him to give the place its name, and +spent many an hour amusing themselves with its astonishing power to send +back sounds. + +Finally Havasupai made his appearance, bearing with him a receipt, which +proved that the precious packet had been sent by registered mail to +Circle Ranch. + +And then the professor announced himself as ready to take his departure +from the scene of his two years' labors as a hermit, working in the +interests of science. + +"It's a wonderful old place," Bob declared as they took their last look +at the Grand Canyon from the bluff in front of the hotel, ere mounting +their horses and starting back home across the many miles that lay to +the south and east before Circle Ranch might be reached. + +"Yes, and we'll never forget what we've seen here," added Frank. + +"Not to speak of the adventures that have come our way," remarked Bob. +"Tell you the truth, Frank, I'll be mighty sorry when our trip is over, +because I reckon it'll be a long time before we have another chance for +such a great gallop." + +But although of course he did not know it just then, Bob was very much +mistaken when he made this prophecy. It happened that events were +shaping themselves at that very hour in a way calculated to call upon +the saddle boys to make another venture into the realms of chance, and +mounted upon their prized horses too. What these events were, and how +well Frank and Bob acquitted themselves when brought face to face with +new adventures, will be found set forth in the next volume of this +series, under the title of, "The Saddle Boys on the Plains; Or, After a +Treasure of Gold." + +Old Hank and Chesty accompanied Professor Oswald by way of the railroad +to a point nearest the ranch, where a vehicle would be awaiting them. He +had been greatly interested in hearing how one of the bottles that he +had thrown into the swift current of the Colorado had been eventually +picked up in far distant Mohave City; and thus his note came into the +hands of his relatives. + +Of course Frank and his chum enjoyed the return gallop even more than +when on the way to the Grand Canyon. They no longer had anything +weighing on their minds, since the plans of Eugene Warringford had been +broken up. And besides, the recollection of the astounding wonders they +had gazed upon in that great canyon were bound to haunt them forever. + +The little professor was waiting to see them at the ranch, before +starting East to join his daughter, and get his wonderful book under +way. + +"I owe you boys more than I can tell," he declared, when he was saying +good-bye; "and you needn't be at all surprised if a nice little bunch of +gold mine stock comes this way for each of you, just as soon as my deal +goes through, which will be in one more week." + +He was as good as his word, and when the mine came under his authority +he did send both Frank and Bob some stock, on which they could collect +dividends four times a year. + +Frank looked in vain for the coming of the old Moqui. Charley Moi did +indeed turn up a little later, anxious to again meet the boys whom he +had served in the Grand Canyon. But Havasupai came not to Circle Ranch; +and remembering how he had apparently been fleeing from the wrath of his +people at the time they first met him, Frank and Bob could not but +wonder whether the old warrior had gone back to his native village only +to meet his fate at the hands of his people, according to Moqui law. + +Here we may leave our two young friends, the saddle boys, for a short +time, enjoying a well earned rest. But the lure of the great outdoors +was so strongly rooted in their natures that it may be readily +understood they could not remain inactive long; but would soon be +galloping over the wide reaches, following the cowboys as they rounded +up the herds, branded mavericks and young cattle, and picked out those +intended for shipment to the great marts at Kansas City. + +But while new scenes would likely interest Frank and Bob from time to +time, they could never forget the magnificent views that had been +stamped upon their memories forever while in the Grand Canyon of the +mighty Colorado. + + +THE END + + + * * * * * * + + +THE BOYS' OUTING LIBRARY + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color. Price, per volume, 65 +cents, postpaid._ + +[Illustration] + +THE SADDLE BOYS SERIES + +BY CAPT. JAMES CARSON + + The Saddle Boys of the Rockies + The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon + The Saddle Boys on the Plains + The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch + The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails + + +THE DAVE DASHAWAY SERIES + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator + Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane + Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship + Dave Dashaway Around the World + Dave Dashaway: Air Champion + + +THE SPEEDWELL BOYS SERIES + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + + The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles + The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto + The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch + The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine + The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer + + +THE TOM FAIRFIELD SERIES + +By ALLEN CHAPMAN + + Tom Fairfield's School Days + Tom Fairfield at Sea + Tom Fairfield in Camp + Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck + Tom Fairfield's Hunting Trip + + +THE FRED FENTON ATHLETIC SERIES + +By ALLEN CHAPMAN + + Fred Fenton the Pitcher + Fred Fenton in the Line + Fred Fenton on the Crew + Fred Fenton on the Track + Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +THE JEWEL SERIES + +BY AMES THOMPSON + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in colors_ + +Price per volume, 65 cents + +[Illustration] + +_A series of stories brimming with hardy adventure, vivid and accurate +in detail, and with a good foundation of probability. They take the +reader realistically to the scene of action. Besides being lively and +full of real situations, they are written in a straightforward way very +attractive to boy readers._ + +1. THE ADVENTURE BOYS AND THE VALLEY OF DIAMONDS + +Malcolm Edwards and his son Ralph are adventurers with ample means for +following up their interest in jewel clues. In this book they form a +party of five, including Jimmy Stone and Bret Hartson, boys of Ralph's +age, and a shrewd level-headed sailor named Stanley Greene. They find a +valley of diamonds in the heart of Africa. + +2. THE ADVENTURE BOYS AND THE RIVER OF EMERALDS + +The five adventurers, staying at a hotel in San Francisco, find that +Pedro the elevator man has an interesting story of a hidden "river of +emeralds" in Peru, to tell. With him as guide, they set out to find it, +escape various traps set for them by jealous Peruvians, and are much +amused by Pedro all through the experience. + +3. THE ADVENTURE BOYS AND THE LAGOON OF PEARLS + +This time the group starts out on a cruise simply for pleasure, but +their adventuresome spirits lead them into the thick of things on a +South Sea cannibal island. + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, PUBLISHERS New York + + + + +THE BOMBA BOOKS + +BY ROY ROCKWOOD + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. With colored jacket_ + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid + +[Illustration] + +_Bomba lived far back in the jungles of the Amazon with a half-demented +naturalist who told the lad nothing of his past. The jungle boy was a +lover of birds, and hunted animals with a bow and arrow and his trusty +machete. He had a primitive education in some things, and his daring +adventures will be followed with breathless interest by thousands._ + +1. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY _or The Old Naturalist's Secret_ + +In the depth of the jungle Bomba lives a life replete with thrilling +situations. Once he saves the lives of two American rubber hunters who +ask him who he is, and how he had come into the jungle. He sets off to +solve the mystery of his identity. + +2. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AT THE MOVING MOUNTAIN _or The Mystery of the +Caves of Fire_ + +Bomba travels through the jungle, encountering wild beasts and hostile +natives. At last he trails the old man of the burning mountain to his +cave and learns more concerning himself. + +3. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY AT THE GIANT CATARACT _or Chief Nascanora and +His Captives_ + +From the Moving Mountain Bomba travels to the Giant Cataract, still +searching out his parentage. Among the Pilati Indians he finds some +white captives, and an aged opera singer who is the first to give Bomba +real news of his forebears. + +4. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY ON JAGUAR ISLAND _or Adrift on the River of +Mystery_ + +Jaguar Island was a spot as dangerous as it was mysterious and Bomba was +warned to keep away. But the plucky boy sallied forth and met adventures +galore. + +5. BOMBA THE JUNGLE BOY IN THE ABANDONED CITY _or A Treasure Ten +Thousand Years Old_ + +Years ago this great city had sunk out of sight beneath the trees of the +jungle. A wily half-breed and his tribe thought to carry away its +treasure of gold and precious stones. Bomba follows. + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +SEA STORIES FOR BOYS + +BY JOHN GABRIEL ROWE + +_Large 12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Colored jacket_ + +Price per volume, $1.00 Net + +[Illustration] + +_Every boy who knows the lure of exploring, and who loves to rig up huts +and caves and tree-houses to fortify himself against imaginary enemies +will enjoy these books, for they give a vivid chronicle of the doings +and inventions of a group of boys who are shipwrecked, and have to make +themselves snug and safe in tropical islands where the dangers are too +real for play._ + +1. CRUSOE ISLAND + +Dick, Alf and Fred find themselves stranded on an unknown island with +the old seaman Josh. Their ship destroyed by fire, their friends lost, +they have to make shift for themselves for a whole exciting year before +being rescued. + +2. THE ISLAND TREASURE + +With much ingenuity these boys fit themselves into the wild life of the +island they are cast upon in storm. They build various kinds of +strongholds and spend most of their time outwitting their enemies. + +3. THE MYSTERY OF THE DERELICT + +Their ship and companions perished in tempest at sea, the boys are +adrift in a small open boat when they spy a ship. Such a strange +vessel!--no hand guiding it, no soul on board,--a derelict. It carries a +gruesome mystery, as the boys soon discover, and it leads them into a +series of strange experiences. + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, PUBLISHERS New York + + + + +THE BOY RANCHERS SERIES + +BY WILLARD F. BAKER + +_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors_ + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid + +[Illustration] + +_Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as a setting, related in +such a style as to captivate the hearts of all boys._ + +1. THE BOY RANCHERS _or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X_ + +Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They become involved in an exciting +mystery. + +2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP _or The Water Fight at Diamond X_ + +Returning for a visit, the two eastern lads learn, with delight, that +they are to become boy ranchers. + +3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL _or The Diamond X After Cattle +Rustlers_ + +Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws. + +4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS _or Trailing the Yaquis_ + +Rosemary and Floyd are captured by the Yaqui Indians but the boy +ranchers trailed them into the mountains and effected the rescue. + +5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK _or Fighting the Sheep Herders_ + +Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out heroic +adventures. + +6. THE BOY RANCHERS IN THE DESERT _or Diamond X and the Lost Mine_ + +One night a strange old miner almost dead from hunger and hardship +arrived at the bunk house. The boys cared for him and he told them of +the lost desert mine. + +7. THE BOY RANCHERS ON ROARING RIVER _or Diamond X and the Chinese +Smugglers_ + +The boy ranchers help capture Delton's gang who were engaged in +smuggling Chinese across the border. + +_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers New York + + + + +THE WEBSTER SERIES + +By FRANK V. WEBSTER + +[Illustration] + +Mr. WEBSTER'S style is very much like that of the boys' favorite author, +the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are thoroughly +up-to-date. + +Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various +colors. + +Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid. + + Only A Farm Boy _or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life_ + The Boy From The Ranch _or Roy Bradner's City Experiences_ + The Young Treasure Hunter _or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska_ + The Boy Pilot of the Lakes _or Nat Morton's Perils_ + Tom The Telephone Boy _or The Mystery of a Message_ + Bob The Castaway _or The Wreck of the Eagle_ + The Newsboy Partners _or Who Was Dick Box_? + Two Boy Gold Miners _or Lost in the Mountains_ + The Young Firemen of Lakeville _or Herbert Dare's Pluck_ + The Boys of Bellwood School _or Frank Jordan's Triumph_ + Jack the Runaway _or On the Road with a Circus_ + Bob Chester's Grit _or From Ranch to Riches_ + Airship Andy _or The Luck of a Brave Boy_ + High School Rivals _or Fred Markham's Struggles_ + Darry The Life Saver _or The Heroes of the Coast_ + Dick The Bank Boy _or A Missing Fortune_ + Ben Hardy's Flying Machine _or Making a Record for Himself_ + Harry Watson's High School Days _or The Rivals of Rivertown_ + Comrades of the Saddle _or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains_ + Tom Taylor at West Point _or The Old Army Officer's Secret_ + The Boy Scouts of Lennox _or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain_ + The Boys of the Wireless _or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep_ + Cowboy Dave _or The Round-up at Rolling River_ + Jack of the Pony Express _or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail_ + The Boys of the Battleship _or For the Honor of Uncle Sam_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers NEW YORK + + + + +The Boy Hunters Series + +By Captain Ralph Bonehill + +12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid. + +[Illustration] + +FOUR BOY HUNTERS _Or, The Outing of the Gun Club_ + +A fine, breezy story of the woods and waters, of adventures in search of +game, and of great times around the campfire, told in Captain Bonehill's +best style. In the book are given full directions for camping out. + +GUNS AND SNOWSHOES _Or, The Winter Outing of the Young Hunters_ + +In this volume the young hunters leave home for a winter outing on the +shores of a small lake. They hunt and trap to their hearts' content, and +have adventures in plenty, all calculated to make boys "sit up and take +notice." A good healthy book; one with the odor of the pine forests and +the glare of the welcome campfire in every chapter. + +YOUNG HUNTERS OF THE LAKE _Or, Out with Rod and Gun_ + +Another tale of woods and waters, with some strong hunting scenes and a +good deal of mystery. The three volumes make a splendid outdoor series. + +OUT WITH GUN AND CAMERA _Or, The Boy Hunters in the Mountains_ + +Takes up the new fad of photographing wild animals as well as shooting +them. An escaped circus chimpanzee and an escaped lion add to the +interest of the narrative. + + +CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK + + + + +THE MOTOR BOYS SERIES + +BY CLARENCE YOUNG + +_12mo. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid_ + +[Illustration] + + THE MOTOR BOYS _or Chums Through Thick and Thin_ + THE MOTOR BOYS OVERLAND _or A Long Trip for Fun and Fortune_ + THE MOTOR BOYS IN MEXICO _or The Secret of the Buried City_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ACROSS THE PLAINS _or The Hermit of Lost Lake_ + THE MOTOR BOYS AFLOAT _or The Cruise of the Dartaway_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE ATLANTIC _or The Mystery of the Lighthouse_ + THE MOTOR BOYS IN STRANGE WATERS _or Lost in a Floating Forest_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE PACIFIC _or The Young Derelict Hunters_ + THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE CLOUDS _or A Trip for Fame and Fortune_ + THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE ROCKIES _or A Mystery of the Air_ + THE MOTOR BOYS OVER THE OCEAN _or A Marvelous Rescue in Mid-Air_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE WING _or Seeking the Airship Treasure_ + THE MOTOR BOYS AFTER A FORTUNE _or The Hut on Snake Island_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE BORDER _or Sixty Nuggets of Gold_ + THE MOTOR BOYS UNDER THE SEA _or From Airship to Submarine_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ON ROAD AND RIVER _or Racing to Save a Life_ + THE MOTOR BOYS AT BOXWOOD HALL _or Ned, Bob and Jerry as Freshmen_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ON A RANCH _or Ned, Bob and Jerry Among the Cowboys_ + THE MOTOR BOYS IN THE ARMY _or Ned, Bob and Jerry as Volunteers_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THE FIRING LINE _or Ned, Bob and Jerry Fighting for + Uncle Sam_ + THE MOTOR BOYS BOUND FOR HOME _or Ned, Bob and Jerry on the Wrecked + Troopship_ + THE MOTOR BOYS ON THUNDER MOUNTAIN _or The Treasure Box of Blue Rock_ + + +CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY. 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