It was past noon when they finally reached the gulch, and just as the Chief had predicted, they found the Doctor sitting on the doorstep, smoking his short brier-wood very peacefully, and reading from a pocket edition of some favorite author. It was characteristic of him to be so occupied just on the brink of a discovery.
Peggie led the way up to the cavern, and all, even Sandy himself, followed after her. The horses were hobbled in Zed’s little clearing, and the surrey team was hitched to a tree. Behind Peggie trod the Doctor, then Polly and Jean, last of all, the Chief, and his three scouts, as he called them. It was an important and solemn occasion, and even the irrepressible Ted and Sue walked soberly, and refrained from any giggles. They all realized fully just what the discovery would mean if it turned out to be authentic and valuable. The Murrays were far from being even well-to-do. There were too many mouths to feed, too many school bills to cover. And to Peggie belonged the credit of first discovery. Some share of the reward must be hers too, they knew.
“If any old deer or buffalo has dared to crawl ’way into that cave to die,” said Polly, as they all paused to rest at one place, “I shall give up all hope of founding the Sisters of the Geological Society, Doctor.”
“I think it’s a tidy little mastodon myself,” Ted remarked. “Nobody’s asked me what my opinion is, but I’m sure it’s a mastodon.”
“Mastodons are very ordinary, Ted,” Ruth said. “They’ve been found even in New York State.”
“Truly? Dead ones?” cried Ted, and they all laughed at her earnestness.
“What other kind do you suppose, Edwina?” asked the Doctor, severely. “A mastodon was dug up at Newburg, along in the forties.”
But here Peggie started ahead once more, so conversation was checked. Only once the Doctor spoke.
“It will be difficult getting it out.”
That gave Polly courage. Surely, unless there was good ground for hope, he would not have said that. The Doctor was very quiet, very non-committal, she knew. She could hardly wait to get to the cave, and watch him. She was sure she could tell right away, whether or not there was hope, just from the expression of his face.