"There's something moving, straight ahead!" exclaimed the boy, pointing to where a darker blotch of blackness was visible in the night.
"Yes, and it's a horse grazing. I hope it's yours," spoke Gabe.
"I can't see any pack on its back," went on Jed, as they came nearer.
"Must be a horse from some camp then."
They came nearer. The horse ceased grazing and looked at them curiously.
"Hey, Pete!" called Jed, for he had been riding the old cultivator horse that once ran away. At the sound of his voice the animal whinnied.
"That's Pete, but where's the pack?" inquired Jed. "I hope it didn't get lost in the river."
"No, it's there, but it's slipped around on his side," replied Gabe, as he came closer and saw what had happened. The saddle girths had slipped, and the pack, though soaking wet, was intact. Pete allowed himself to be caught without difficulty. Probably he had had enough of adventures for one night. He was led back to the camp, where a big fire was burning. Here the gold hunters dried themselves, and were soon partaking of a bountiful meal.
"This beats farming all to pieces!" declared Jed, with his mouth half full of some broiled elk meat.
"Even getting into the rapids?" asked his brother.