"Claim? What kind?" asked Walter.
"Gold."
"Gold? Here?" spoke up the Professor sharply.
"Mountains are full of it, if you can find it," answered Lige in an impressive tone.
And the boys, thrilled by the thought that perhaps fortunes in the bright yellow metal lay beneath their feet, went to bed to dream of buried treasures and limitless wealth.
CHAPTER XIV
A NARROW ESCAPE
The Pony Riders awoke full of enthusiasm for the work of the day. Thus far, each day had held a new and wonderful experience for them, while those to come were destined to be even more full of stirring incidents.
Most of all, the boys looked forward to the hunting trips that had been promised. Next to that came the exploration of mountain caves. It was enough to gladden the heart of any boy.
Immediately they had arisen, they descended upon the guide in a body, demanding to know if they were to hunt that day.