“We are always finding wealth for others!” laughed Clay, “but none for ourselves! However, we are planning to take a trip down the Mississippi next, and we may have better luck there! But here come the boys with plenty of fish, and we’ll have supper right away!”
And such a supper as they had! All the precious dainties the lads had been hoarding for some such event were brought out, and there was feasting until a late hour. Captain Joe and Teddy had their full share of the good things, and the dog was forgiven for permitting himself to be doped by Flint! If he could have talked he would have explained that the drug was eaten in a very fine piece of meat, and would have added that he would never more take food from a strange hand!
“By the way,” the sheriff said, as he arose to go, “with the arrest of Flint and Ike the ghost of the Grand Canyon is laid! They have been playing ghost a long time to keep people away from the supposed mine.”
Then Alex explained how he had found the white wrappings they had worn, and also the black head coverings, in the closet at the old shack.
“And now, can we get up any farther?” asked Clay, as the lads were preparing for sleep. “Is this the end of navigation for us?”
“You can’t have any fun in going on,” Don declared. “It would be a great task to get the motor boat up farther.”
“Then we’ll turn back,” Clay decided, “and see if we can find as much excitement in the down trip as we did in the up trip!”
“I don’t see how you can!” Don laughed. “You won’t have the two trouble makers with you, for Tom and I have decided to go back to Chicago with Mr. Frost, and meet you there later.”
“If you boys don’t mind,” King said, “I’d like to go down the Colorado with you. I’m in need of just such a loafing spell.”
The permission was given, and the next morning, after Frost, Don, and Tom had climbed to the plateau and started away to the nearest railroad station, the Rambler was gotten under way, and the down trip begun.