Once or twice Ned thought he caught in the eye of his guide a significant look as these signs were left in the path. However, the boy made no objections to Ned’s frequent pauses, and gave no indications of displeasure at the marking of the trail.
After a long walk along the slope of the mountain toward the north, the boy suddenly turned straight west and made his way up toward the snow line. Here the walking was very difficult, as the boys were obliged to wind around jutting crags and climb into and out of narrow canyons at the bottoms of which trickles of water made their way eastward.
Up to this time very little conversation had been indulged in, but now during the frequent necessary halts, Ned began questioning his strange companion. The boy answered in a manner which at first seemed entirely frank.
“How did you like the bread and beans?” Ned asked at one resting place with a smile. “Why didn’t you wake us up?”
“What are you talking about bread and beans?” asked the boy, though the sly look in his face told Ned that he understood.
“The next time you come to our camp in the night,” Ned went on, “Just wake us up and we’ll give you a night lunch worth while.”
“What about last night?” asked the boy.
“Last night,” Ned answered, “you would have had broiled bear steak and hot coffee. Steak beats cold beans, doesn’t it?”
“Say, you are a good fellow!” exclaimed the guide.
Ned laughingly extended his right hand, giving the full Boy Scout salute. The guide returned the sign and asked: