“Yes; there’s no road or trail along that side of the mountain and hardly anybody ever goes near it.”
“Well! This is a surprise to me,” declared the doctor. “I thought I knew this country pretty thoroughly, but it seems that a very important feature has escaped me.”
Mr. Frankland and Mr. Porter knew just as little, and the faculty of the school at once decided that a trip of investigation should be made in the near future.
A search of the plateau, or mesa, on Flathead, with the aid of the glasses, produced little result of special interest. The doctor expressed considerable surprise on finding it so large. There was a patch of timber on the farther half, while the nearer half was made up of several hills and ravines and a few rocky elevations and bluffs.
“I’d give a good deal to get up there and examine that mesa,” said Dr. Byrd. “We might find something interesting. There’s a glittering spot near the middle that looks as if it might be water shining in the sunlight.”
“I know how we can get up there,” Hal announced with sudden eagerness. Everybody turned toward him.
“How?” asked Pickles.
“In Mr. Miles’ airship when it’s finished.”
“That’s a brilliant idea,” laughed the doctor. “Well, Hal, if anybody besides Mr. Miles himself makes that trip, you ought to be allowed to.”
“Can I?” Kenyon asked eagerly.