“But they don’t know the valley of gold.”
“They know it’s a handy thing to make ear-rings of, and that they kin git plenty of powder and lead fur it at the Forts.”
“Wal, we’ll have to take another look in thar. Shall it be you or me?”
“Why not both?”
The trapper shook his head.
“Ef it warn’t fur the varmints we might, but they’re too thick fur as to give ’em a chance to lock us up in thar.”
“Yees are right,” assented Teddy, who saw the prudence of his companion; “do yees act the part of sintinel, and I’ll take a betther look at the insides of the cavern.”
This was agreed upon, and the two set out for the bank of the stream, where the opening occurred. It was found to be nearly circular in character, like the mouth of an immense columbiad, so that an ordinary-sized man was compelled to stoop quite low to enter. The top of the bank projected over and concealed the orifice, so that there was little danger of seeing it, unless it was made a special search, or its existence was previously known.
“Do yer want yer gun?” inquired the trapper, as his friend was ready to enter.
“No; I kin do betther wid me fists on them spalpeens, ef there should be any of ’em in there. Do yees mind and not let any of ’em steal in upon me.”