"It's the safest thing you can do, sir," answered Joe Timmins.
"We'll start back, now," proposed Tom. "If you don't drive too fast you'll give us a chance to reach our camp in time to welcome you."
"You start now, and we'll start within ten minutes," proposed
Mr. Dunlop.
This being agreed to, Tom, Harry and Ferrers began the task of climbing the cliff path. At last they reached the top, then started at long strides toward camp, Ferrers's horse having been surrendered by Harry to Dave Hill.
"Who knows," laughed Tom, "we may become mining engineers here in Nevada"
"Small chance of it," Harry rejoined. "In opinion Mr. Dunlop is a good enough fellow, but he's accustomed to making all the money himself. He'd want us at about a hundred dollars a month apiece."
"He can want, then," Tom retorted. "Yet, somehow, I've an idea That Mr. Dunlop will turn to be generous if he decides that we're the engineers for him."
For some minutes the trio tramped on silently, in Indian file,
Ferrers leading.
"Hello, Alf!" bellowed Tom through the woods, as they neared their camp site. No answer came.
"Where did you leave the little fellow, Jim?" inquired Reade.