"Why, I've ridden through that place at least twice," asserted Pete as he recognized Lawrence's description of the spot, "but never a sign of cattle or mine have I seen."
"You noticed there was heavy woods on both sides, didn't you?" returned the former raider, smiling.
"Yes."
"Well, that explains why you didn't learn anything, though of course it might be that no cattle were in the valley when you struck it."
This explanation only served to arouse the curiosity of the hearers the more.
"The woods are the thing," he continued. "Every time any one comes along, we drive the cattle into them and no one would think to look for the entrance to a mine among the trees."
"But how does it happen you have never been taken by surprise?" queried Mr. Wilder.
"Because when we had steers in the valley we always kept a lookout. There's a cliff just above the mine from which a man can see the trail for at least two miles."
"Then won't some one discover us?" asked Bill.
"Not if we hurry. Every man jack of Megget's gang is out on this raid. All we need to do is to get there first."