“Yes,” was the awed reply.
“And do yees belave thar is goold down there?”
“I am sure of it.”
“Thin all we have to do is to git it.”
“Yes; that’s the difficulty.
“And, be jabers, how is it to be done?” continued Teddy, with something like his natural joviality of manner. “I didn’t dhraam that!”
They approached the edge of the cañon, and carefully examined it. At the point referred to it was nearly twenty feet in width; and, as this was very nearly the usual latitude of the stream, it flowed by this place as smoothly and quietly as the dead level.
Looking over the edge of the chasm, they could discern the edge of a table or ledge, which seemed to be the floor of some cavern that extended quite a distance back into the rocks. This was the point which Teddy was desirous of reaching.
But how was it to be done? The natural plan was to drop down upon it; but as it projected at the most only a few inches beyond the perpendicular wall, it was morally certain that, if he should strike the edge, he could not “stick,” while, so far as could be ascertained, it was too high above the stream to be reached by any one standing in the bed of that.
The only possible way, therefore, was to be lowered by some rope, or something that would answer the same purpose, and such a thing was not in the possession of a member of the company.