“Any sign of a plane?”
“None.”
In the afternoon, Ken took his turn staying behind, while the others resumed search for the caches of ore. According to Warner’s recollection of the map, both had been near the entrance to a ravine some distance from the lake, but the morning search had proven unfruitful.
“I may have made a miscalculation,” the rancher admitted.
“Maybe we picked the wrong ravine,” said Jack.
They began the afternoon search nearer the lake and cabin. Immediately, landmarks seemed somewhat more familiar and similar to the chart markings they remembered.
“We must be on the right track!” Jack said jubilantly.
They were encouraged to find old holes drilled in the hillside. This they took to be evidence that Old Stony or other prospectors who followed him had tested the area as a possible mine site.
But the hiding place, if ever there had been one, could not be found.
“Maybe Walz has had better luck,” Jack said, sinking down on a rock. “Queer we haven’t had a glimpse of him all day.”