Hop had to answer a lot of questions, but he managed to make it plain to the miners what was wanted of them, so in a few minutes they were marching for the pass.
The Chinaman rode on ahead and soon came to the spot where he had left Charlie, Jim and Arietta.
But they were not there now, and, thinking that they had ascended the cliff again, he decided to go on in the cave.
He went around to the curtain and found the scout lying close to the cliff near it.
Charlie motioned for him to go on in, and, without looking at him any further, Hop lifted the curtain and obeyed.
CHAPTER XIV.
HOW ARIETTA PAID THE TOLL.
Arietta and Jim had gone to the top of the cliff again, hoping to catch sight of Wild once more, while Charlie remained near the mouth of the cave.
The scout made up his mind to get inside when Hop came back, and he had managed to creep up close to the concealed opening.
As the Chinaman passed inside he waited for half a minute, and then he took the risk of raising the curtain a trifle.