The guide nodded with emphasis, at the same time bringing the palms of his hands sharply together to convey the impression that the mule had hit the rocks below so hard that he would never rise of his own accord again.
"Now we are in a fix," said Ned.
"I guess we had better make Chunky walk and use his pony for packing the outfit," suggested Walter.
"Yes, but we have little or no outfit to pack," answered Tad. "Most of it is down there with the dead mule; how far I don't know."
The Pony Rider Boys gasped. This, indeed, was a serious situation.
CHAPTER III
A DARING PROPOSAL
For a full moment the boys looked at each other doubtfully. Professor
Zepplin was the first to break the silence.
"Wha—what pack did the mule have?"
"Part of the kitchen outfit and all of the canned goods," answered Tad
Butler impressively.