Frank sat down and talked with the old redskin for some time. Then Joe was given a square meal, and he ate heartily.
Merry had some business to look after in the mine, and he departed, at last, with the idea that he would find Joe and have another talk with him after the business was done.
But when Merry came to look again for the Indian, Joe had disappeared once more in his usual mysterious fashion.
Merry was not at all satisfied that Cimarron Bill had given up the struggle. In any event, he was confident that the syndicate had not given up, and experience had taught him that the organization would resort to any desperate means to accomplish its purpose.
So Merriwell, having seen that all things were going well at the mine, set out the following day for Holbrook, in which place he mailed a letter to Dick, informing him of his fortune in escaping from the ruffians.
In Holbrook Merry purchased a supply of rifles and cartridges, also small arms. This stock he had boxed and contracted with a man to deliver everything with the least possible delay at the Queen Mystery mine.
Having attended to this matter, Merry rested over night and set out with the first hint of coming day for the mine.
Through the hottest part of the day he rested in a ravine where there was some shade. Then he traveled again until after nightfall.
The following forenoon found him in a part of the mountains that seemed familiar. He had diverged somewhat from the regular trail between Holbrook and the mine.