"Well, I just guess!" cried Maybe Dixon. "Why, I've heard o' some gulches four an' five hundred feet deep! Reckon nobuddy wants to fall into sech a hole as that, eh?"
With the promise of another fall of snow in the air, the pioneers did not delay long, and soon the journey through the mighty mountain pass was resumed. They had to go upward for several hours, but before nightfall found themselves on the downward trail.
"Hurrah! we have passed the highest point!" cried Mark.
"And now downward we go to the Land of Gold!" exclaimed Bob with equal enthusiasm.
The thought that the upward climb was at an end at last cheered everybody in the party. They looked ahead eagerly, but the gloom of night was at hand and they could see little.
"If it was real clear maybe we could see some of them gold camps," said Maybe Dixon, in disappointed tones.
"Do you think we are close enough?" asked Si.
"It ain't that, lad. In a good clear air one can see for a long distance over these mountains."
"Then we've got lots of traveling to do yet?"
"Yes,—unless somebody has discovered gold along this trail. Gold may be in one place as well as another."