“Either of you like the job?” said the American. Chris and Ned leaned so as to gaze across Griggs’ pony in each other’s eyes.
“Bah! They won’t find it, even if there are any in this neighbourhood,” cried the American. “Nice country, ain’t it? Rather better than the desert.”
“But isn’t it a pity that we are not going right up the mountain to-day?”
“Like to go all the way?” said Griggs.
“Yes, I should,” cried Chris eagerly. “I want to get the glass and look round. I think I could make out the mountains on the old map if I saw them.”
“Very nice if you could,” said Griggs dryly. “But it’s early morning yet. You wait till afternoon, and then see if you wish the same. I think you’ll fancy we’ve had enough of it for one day, and want to get back to camp for supper.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Chris merrily. “I’m not always thinking of eating like Ned is.”
“Eh? Oh, I say! I like that! Why, I never do.”
“Didn’t you grumble just now about the time when we should have nothing but meat and water? Here—I say—Griggs, what’s that—I mean those? There’s more than one.”
“Yes; keep quiet. More than twenty, my lads.”