He pointed to the westward.
“Right down yonder inter the Great Basin,” he continued, “powerful curus country down there. Don’t do to travel far on any of their rivers, for they mought switch ye under ground any minnit.”
“Yes,” replied Frank. “I am aware that most of the rivers in the Great Basin run underground.”
“I reckon so, straunger.”
“Golly, Marse Frank!” cried Pomp, “don’ yo’ s’pose dis gentleman would go wif us an’ show us de way?”
The same thought had struck Frank.
He turned inquiringly to the trapper. The latter wore an inscrutable expression upon his grizzled face.
“Wall, I don’t mind givin’ ye a lift on it, friends,” he said, cheerily.
“I will pay you well,” declared Frank.
“Don’t want no pay!” exclaimed the trapper, indignantly. “I ain’t that kind of a chap yew kin bet.”