Where they stood, beneath their feet, and all around them, the rocks were blackened with powder. There had been a heavy blast there, as they could see. And that blast of powder had shattered the cliff, and hurled a small mountain of rock down into the valley far below.
It had broken off the edge of the cliff right at the end of the pass most abruptly.
Right beneath their feet the cliff broke off and went downward almost like an artificial wall for a thousand feet or more.
The two scouts advanced to the edge and their eyes became riveted in wonder at what they beheld.
Below them was a valley, or, rather, a basin, for it was surrounded on every side by towering cliffs. No break could be seen anywhere, no cañon pushing into the surrounding wall of rock.
It was not a valley surrounded by mountain ranges, but a valley completely encircled by cliffs rising one thousand feet.
But that was not all, for right in its center was a large lake, with wooded shores.
Around the lake, in the timber, were scattered a score of cabins. A herd of cattle, horses, and mules were there, too. A group of wagons were in one place. Men, women, and children were also visible.
The crowing of a rooster was heard down in the valley, and a flock of sheep was feeding right beneath the cliff on which the scouts were standing.