"That's a chance we have to take."
So next morning, without revealing their plans to any one, the boys started out into the mountains. It was a gloomy day and the sky was overcast. The lowering, snow-covered crags loomed high above them as they headed toward a narrow defile not far from the abandoned mine where they had been captured by Black Pepper's men some days previous. It was toward this defile that the man called Jack had gone on his way to summon Black Pepper, and the boys judged that the outlaws' abandoned camp was probably somewhere in that direction.
They discovered a narrow trail through the snow. It was a trail that had evidently been much used, for the snow was packed hard by the tramp of many feet.
"I think we're on the right track, all right," said Frank. "Even if we only find the deserted camp we may get some clues that will help us."
The boys went higher up into the mountain and at last they came to a protected spot beneath an overhanging crag, where the snow had not penetrated. Here the trail ended in a long platform of bare rock. They went across it, but were unable to pick up the trail again, although they searched about in every direction.
Suddenly Frank said to his brother in a low voice:
"Don't look around. Keep straight ahead."
"What's the matter?"
"There's some one following us. I just caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye. He's hiding behind the rocks back there."
"Let's tackle him."