“All of which is true,” added Donald; “so think it over, Billie, and some time let us know what sort of an explanation you get to. Look, there are several more lines of holes in the rock,
and you can see the many crazy ladders that lead up and down, like the lines of a puzzle.”
“Sure thing,” declared Billie, excitedly, “and there are some people climbing and coming down right along. Hurry up there, Jupiter, and quit your poking. I’m all of a quiver to get right in, and see these sights at close range. Oh! mebbe it ain’t going to be in clover for me, with this jolly little kodak of mine. Won’t I be able to snap off some of the funniest pictures you ever saw, with fat squaws and papooses ahanging to them ladders in all sorts of ridiculous positions? Well, let me tell you before we go any further, boys, I’m real glad I came.”
“In spite of the scare you had when you fell into that rattlesnake den, eh, Billie?” ventured Adrian.
“And no matter if you did get lost on the desert, while a nasty sand storm was raging?” added Donald, mischievously.
“With the wolves keeping you awake all night in the bargain; can you say that, remembering all these things that have happened, Billie?” Adrian concluded.
The fat boy placed one hand in the region of his heart.
“Really and truly I’m glad right now,” he went on, “and I’ll be a dozen times more so before long, I’m thinking. All the things you mention belong to
past history; and what’s the use crying over spilt milk?”
“Hurrah for you, Billie!” cried Adrian.