At this moment Clément Lambert winked and nodded so hard at Oliver, that Oliver decided promptly:
“I’ll stay, sir.”
For evidently something especial was brewing, besides coffee!
At breakfast the secret came out.
“We’ll make one more try, boys,” spoke Lieutenant Frémont. “The day’s fine, we’re in good shape with food and a night’s rest, and Basil and I’ve noted a narrow draw off the left that looks like a trail to the top of the divide. We’ve got all day before us, and can take things easy.”
“Good!” approved Mr. Preuss; and “Bien! Good!” echoed the others, nodding.
“I didn’t expect to do this, when I let Kit and the rest go back,” said the lieutenant. “But we ought not to miss this chance. The boy here must represent the Taos crowd.”
And Oliver determined that he would if he could.
Enough food for one more meal was saved, and covered over with rocks so that birds would not eat it. Then upon the mules they set forth, to climb that highest peak. They felt fresh, the mules seemed to feel fresh; and through the long narrow draw, almost a little canyon, they made steady way. This was the defile which the lieutenant and Basil Lajeunesse had discovered. Sure enough, it led up and out to the very divide itself. And here they were, at last, mules and all!