"Thet would be the best way, Allen. But fust we must locate thet cave."
The ride around the mountain was a rather trying one and from a gallop they had to slow down to a walk. In some spots the trail was much cut up and the mud was deep, while in others they had to pick their way over rocks which were as smooth as they were dangerous.
"Look thar," said Watson, as he paused on a spur of the rocks. "Thar's a tumble fer ye!"
He pointed to a canyon all of five hundred feet deep and Allen had to draw back after looking into the awful depth.
"If a fellow should tumble here he would never live to tell it," said the young ranchman. "This would be a bad trail to follow in the dark."
Moving away from the spur of rocks overlooking the canyon, they turned to the northwest and plunged through a forest of cedar and hemlock. Here the wild birds were numerous and Allen was tempted to bring some of them down with his gun, but Watson demurred.
"No use o' makin' too much noise," he explained. "Remember, somebody may be on guard up at thet cave."
"Slavin said he thought only an old woman had been left in charge—a woman who claimed to be Darry Nodley's wife."
"Didn't know as how thet rascal hed a wife."
"That is what Slavin said."