Leading the way, and using this useful means of illumination, Donald felt confident of being able to serve as a guide to the expedition.
The path was very rough, so that at times they had to almost crawl; but then as they moved along it they could see from time to time that another had walked this way many times, undoubtedly the old medicine man of the Zunis, and those who had occupied his place years and years ago.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” remarked Adrian, in a low tone, as he caught hold of his companion’s arm, “if that dip yonder proves to be the passage which he uses whenever he enters below at the base of the cliff, and ascends, like he did that time we followed him here. The Zunis are that afraid they would run like wildfire if they thought they stood any chance to see him enter the mountain; so he must have fallen into a sort of a free-and-easy way. After seeing us around, he tightened up, and would only come here at night-time.”
“H’st!”
When Donald made that hissing sound his chum
closed his lips, for he instinctively understood that it meant danger.
“Look down the shaft, and you’ll see signs of a light!” whispered Donald, close to his ear now.
“What do you reckon it can be?” asked the other, as he too saw the faint glow.
“It’s getting brighter all the while, Ad, and that tells us whoever holds the torch is coming up from below!”
“You mean Pick-ne-quan-to?” whispered Adrian, in no little excitement.