“Yes; unless you want me to do something.”
“I would appreciate it if you would take my letters to the hotel so they will get off in the early morning.”
Jim took the letters and left the camp, and soon after this Hippy went himself to the hotel to join the other Overlanders at the dance. The dance hall was in a building separated from the main hotel, and as Hippy approached this building from the rear of the hotel he halted sharply. He then strode on past two men in the shadow of an ell to the main building. He was sure he knew that voice, even though the words had been spoken almost in a whisper. He entered the ballroom and was soon surrounded by friends.
Among them were Colonel Scott and his party who had arrived that evening by stage. After greeting Hippy warmly the colonel said: “Mrs. Gray tells me that you are to set out in the morning to go along the canyon. We expect to take that route, starting right after lunch. Perhaps we shall overtake you and see you again.”
“I most sincerely hope we may meet,” was the cordial reply.
Shortly after this the Overland Riders left the ballroom for their camp, there to pack and make ready for an early morning start. They were to go about eighteen miles further on and pitch their next camp at Mount Washburn.
On their arrival there the next day they located their camp near a river on one side and a dense growth of pines on the other. The place was lonely, and the guide warned them to keep a lookout for wild animals. Their site was not reached by the Government road generally used by the coaches, but the wagon road that led to it was in good condition.
They prepared and ate lunch, then spent the afternoon fishing, making a good catch. This was well, for just before supper time a Concord coach swung into view, and in a few moments Colonel Scott and his party alighted and were cordially greeted by the campers.
“I’m glad you came just now to help us eat all these fish,” said Grace.
“Yes, do stay for supper,” urged Elfreda.