Hester had forgotten all about the camera, but being reminded of it she ran over to pick it up. As she did so she looked at the register to see how many exposures had been used, and as she did this she gasped.
“Jule! I really believe I did take that stunt! Any way, I must have turned the key, again and again, until not one single film remains to be exposed. I’ve reached the end of the reel!”
The laugh that greeted this information acted like a tonic on Julie’s shaken nerves, and in a little while she felt able to get up and walk to her horse.
“Think you are strong enough to resume the ride up-trail, dearie?” asked Mrs. Vernon, solicitously.
“Oh, sure! Strong as a mountain lion,” laughed Julie, as she tried to jump into the saddle. Then she found she had better wait and receive assistance. But once she was securely seated upon her horse, she felt her old self again, and needed no further sympathy for her dramatic scene at the cliff.
They rode out from the tangled wilderness to the trail, but no Ranger had arrived. The burros were brought from the nook where they had been hidden, and everything was in order for a new start, yet no young man appeared on the scene.
“Great Scott! We can’t sit here all day waiting for a youngster who may not show up before midnight,” grumbled Mr. Gilroy.
“Suppose we leave a note somewhere where the Ranger will be sure to see it, and then we can ride on,” suggested Julie.
“Yes, Gilly. You know how long it takes these burros to cover the ground,” added Joan.
“Oh, very well! But I thought you young ladies would prefer to wait for such a handsome young chap who is so entertaining,” agreed Mr. Gilroy.