"How far are yonder peaks from here?" asked Sam, pointing ahead.
"About twenty miles."
"Gracious, as far as that! I didn't know one could see so clearly for such a long distance. They look to me to be only about three miles."
"The air is very pure and clear out here, lad. No better air in this wide world than that of Colorady."
At noon they came to a halt in a little hollow, protected alike from the breeze and the direct rays of the overhead sun. Their saddle bags were filled with provisions, and Tom and Sam began to prepare their first meal in the open, with Dick and the old miner assisting.
After the meal Jack Wumble took a smoke and a ten minutes' nap, and during that time the three boys strolled off in various directions, Sam going ahead on the trail.
Presently the youngest Rover had his eye arrested by a post set up in the middle of the trail. To the top of the post was tacked a sheet of white paper.
"This is queer," thought Sam, and drew closer to inspect the sheet.
On it were written the words, in pencil:
"To the Rovers and their friend:
"If you want to keep out of trouble you will return to Gunnison at once. If you dare to push on to Larkspur Creek it may cost you your lives. We are watching you, and are fully armed, and you had better be warned in time.