“I don’t care how soon somebody starts something,” mused Ned. “We have our heavy artillery well on ahead.”
As he spoke he gazed smilingly at the tight-jawed Professor, who never looked to better advantage than when in warlike mood.
198CHAPTER XX
TAD DISCOVERS SOMETHING
“I don’t see our friends,” said Ned, an hour later.
“They’re not in their camp,” answered Tad. “We passed that an hour ago. They have no horses, so they’re packing their outfits on their backs.”
“Huh! That’s one part of the gold-madness that I don’t want,” said Chunky. “Do all gold diggers have to pack their outfits?”
“I guess few of them can afford to buy ponies,” answered Butler. “Then, too, the places they go to are usually beyond the reach of anything except a wild animal. We are fortunate if we get through with our stock. Even our own ponies that we left at home would never be able to make this rough trail. What’s that, Anvik?”
The guide was pointing to a waving ribbon of white that appeared to reach from point to point on the rocks high above them and some distance ahead.
“What is it?” demanded the boy.