"I did not see any one."
"But Fred here says you were talking to somebody."
"Let him say."
"All right, T.J.," said Zeke abruptly. "We'll stop here for a while. I'm not done with you yet. Now, what I want you to do is to take Kitoni with you and go along the side of the Gulch keeping your eyes open for any sign of a vein. If you find it you let me know right away."
"What you do?" inquired the Navajo.
"We shall keep up above the rim and try to find out what is there. Now mark you, T.J., don't try any of your tricks on us. If you do, the first thing you know you'll be thrown out and there'll be no cure for it."
The guide now rejoined the other members of the party and plans were soon made for the day.
It finally was decided that while the two Indians were making their way along the side of the Gulch, all the others should be divided into two parties. Each of these two parties was to spread out in such a manner that at least ten feet intervened between any two men.
It was decided also that the Indians should precede the others by at least an hour.
Meanwhile it was agreed that the center of the rock should be made the starting place for the new expedition. Slow progress was certain, but all were more eager now to avoid mistakes than they were to make haste.