“It’s too late to do much exploring to-night, Merry,” said Hodge.
“It’s too late to do anything but find a good spot and pitch our tent.”
“Where had we better camp?”
After looking around, Merriwell suggested that they proceed toward the northern end of the valley, where there was timber.
“It’s up that way we saw smoke, Frank,” said Hodge.
“I know it.”
As they advanced toward the timber they came to a narrow gorge that cut for a short distance into the side of a mighty mountain. The stream which ran through the valley flowed from this gorge, and further investigation showed that it came from an opening in the mountainside itself. Beside this stream they found the dead embers of a camp fire.
“Who built it, Frank?” asked Bart, as Merry looked the ground over. “Was it Indians, do you think?”
Merriwell shook his head.
“No; it was built by white men.”