Keenly excited, the three boys instantly arose and advanced nearer the rim of the Gulch. Around the bend of the next great buttress or projection they saw two forms moving slowly which they instantly recognized as men.
"That's Zeke and Thomas Jefferson!" exclaimed Grant in a low voice.
"What has become of the other two men?" inquired George.
"You'll have to ask them,—or Zeke and T.J.; perhaps they will be able to tell you something after they get back here."
Grant's surmise proved to be correct. Within a half-hour both Zeke and the Indian returned to the camp.
Neither was willing to describe the details of very much of his effort to overtake the two white men who had gone from the camp. It was manifest, however, that both white men had disappeared and that along with them had gone one of the packs, now doubly valuable in the eyes of the boys.
"Didn't you see the men anywhere, Zeke?" inquired Fred.
"Not a sign."
"Did you find out where they went?"
"Not exactly."