“It beats me,” he said at last, “but one thing is certain there is no way through that ledge.”
“Perhaps they just halted here for some purpose or other,” said Dick. “I think we had better push on. The mare may give us another steer.”
But the mare did nothing of the sort. They continued on to the trail and then down the mountain to the alkali plains.
Doctor Dan’s knowledge of the country came in play here, for he recognized the place and led the way to their old trail up the mountain, which began about half a mile further along.
It seemed useless to spend any more time then looking for Clara Eglinton, so they continued on to the camp, where Doctor Dan cooked a splendid breakfast, having shot an antelope just before they turned off from the plain.
The remainder of the day passed without any notable adventure.
In the afternoon the rubber boat was launched again and Dick and Charley pulled across the lake to the hut, leaving Doctor Dan to go on an exploring expedition along the shore on his own account.
The hut was still deserted and there was no sign that Mudd and his companions had returned.
The boys on the way back pulled around to the place where the singular boiling of the water had occurred.
All was placid enough now, but just as they were turning away the boiling began again.