"Do you believe they have thought of being followed?"
"They must know there is danger of it. They will fight to keep that gold, and if they get the first sight of us will shoot."
"They may have revolvers, but I don't believe either has a rifle. We will keep a lookout that we don't run into them before we know it and give them the advantage."
This dread handicapped the boys to some extent. The trail was not distinctly marked, often winding and precipitous, and compelling them to halt and examine the ground and consult as to their course.
While thus engaged, they awoke to the fact that they had gone astray and were not following the trail at all.
CHAPTER XX.
A SOUND FROM OUT THE STILLNESS.
The error occurred in this way: The trail that the boys had been assiduously following was so faintly marked that the wonder was they did not go astray sooner. In many places, there was little choice as to the route, because it was so broken and crossed that one was as distinct as the other. Nevertheless, Frank pressed on with scarcely any hesitation, until he again reached a depression where the soft ground failed to show the slightest impression of shoe or hoof.
"My gracious!" he exclaimed, stopping short and looking at his companion; "how far can we have gone wrong?"