"But maybe those fellows will discover the cave in the night," objected Frank.
"There's not much danger," was Billy's opinion. "In fact I think those fellows have skipped out. We haven't seen any signs of 'em lately. But we can put the bushes back and in the darkness I don't believe those fellows will notice anything if they do come this way. Come on, fellows, get busy."
They soon had the entrance to the cave well concealed, and then, with their hearts filled with hope, they rode down to their camp, which they found undisturbed.
"We're going to have a storm," was Billy's forecast, as they got supper by lantern light. "But it won't matter, as we can get in the cave to-morrow and be dry while we are digging for gold."
"Just think of it!" cried Andy. "We have really found the treasure of Golden Peak!"
"Not yet," said the more careful Frank. "That old prospector may have taken it all out."
"But that's where it was, at any rate," declared Billy, looking at some of the shining yellow particles he had brought away with him.
They could hardly sleep that night, but at length did drop off in a doze, Andy taking the first watch. It was almost at an end, and he was about to awaken Billy, who was to relieve him, when he became aware of a curious noise up the valley at the end of which Golden Peak stood.
"I wonder what that is?" he mused. "It sounds like wind and rain."
At that moment a gust shook the tent, and Billy called: