"And it'll taste better," declared his brother, who was in charge of the actual cooking.
"And after grub we'll start in and explore Golden Peak," said Billy. "It's queer, that, though I've lived near it a long time, I never have been all over it. It's only recently that the rumor of treasure got started anew, and since then I haven't had much chance. But we'll run this thing down now."
"Unless those other fellows prevent us," suggested Frank.
Golden Peak was rather a curious formation. It was the central and the lowest of three hills in what was otherwise quite a flat country, and, with the twin points between which the river flowed, marked the beginning of a gentle rise that culminated in mountains many miles away. It was as if some great force of nature had sliced off the plain, leaving the prairies almost like a barn floor, but with these three peaks sticking up.
Golden Peak was of good height, and was several miles in circumference. It was well wooded, beginning at a point about half a mile up from the level, and there was much rocky formation.
The boys started on their explorations soon after breakfast, leaving the pack animals tethered, but riding their own steeds and carrying their guns.
"Suppose those fellows come upon our camp?" suggested Andy.
"Well, we've got to take that chance," answered Frank. "We can't hide it where they couldn't find it. But if they wreck it we'll take our revenge, that's all."
"I don't believe they'll bother us," said Billy. "They know this is the last round of the fight, and they're going to lose. If we come face to face with them they may act mean, but I don't believe they'd dare do anything."
They rode on for several miles and saw no signs of any other persons than themselves on Golden Peak. Now and then a movement in the underbrush indicated the passage of someone or some animal, but they could glimpse nothing.