“Yes, and let me say that I’m with you every time,” returned the other. “You know how set in my ways I am, Frank; and that once I start out to do a thing, how unhappy I always seem unless I get there. So count on me to keep up the good work, if it takes a week. We must get back that stolen treasure, one way or another.”
“And we will, Bob, just put that in your pipe and smoke it,” replied the other, confidently.
“There’s the foothills right ahead of us now!” said Mr. Riley, who had been riding a little in the van, but where he could hear all that was said.
“And we’ll none of us be sorry when this long ride is over,” remarked Frank.
CHAPTER XVI
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
“We might as well drop off here, boys!” said Mr. Riley, after they had reached the base of the hills.
“Oh! don’t change your mind about that, please,” sighed Bob, as he slid from his saddle, and almost fell upon the ground.
But this was more on account of the stiffness of his legs than because he was utterly exhausted. He proved this shortly afterwards, when he insisted on removing the saddle and bridle from Domino, and fastening the lariat to his neck, so that the animal might not stray.
The three lolled upon the soft, yielding turf, which never felt finer. Bob was on his back, staring up at the black heavens, back of which the moon shone, even if they could not see it.
“This feels fine and dandy,” he commented, stretching himself.