Grant's companions did their utmost to carry out his suggestion, but there was little activity in which they could indulge and the time dragged heavily on their hands.
"How far do you think we've come into Thorn's Gulch?" asked Fred when several hours had elapsed.
"Six or eight miles," replied Grant promptly.
"Then we ought to be able to find our way out all right," said Fred.
"Of course we can," said Grant quietly, "though after we find our way out we haven't gotten to the end of our troubles."
For a time the suggestion made all three boys silent and serious. They were more than two thousand miles from home. One of their companions had not been seen for many hours and in spite of what he was willing to acknowledge every one of the Go Ahead Boys was now anxious concerning the safety of the missing John.
Not even a guide was left them and the continued failure of Zeke to return increased their fears.
Fred, the most easily discouraged of the Go Ahead Boys had been the most eager of all to enter upon the expedition. It was plain to his comrades now that his spirits were sinking and both were fearful of what the effect would be if Fred entirely lost hope.
"I tell you what we'll do," suggested Grant at last. "We'll try to make a copy of the map that Simon Moultrie had of the place where he had staked his claim."
"We can't make any copy," said Fred disconsolately, "we haven't anything to copy."