Burros had been used to carry some of the burdens until the boys had entered within the canyon itself. Then the burros with the Indian boy who had accompanied them as far as the border, turned back to the place from which they had come. It was not believed that sufficient material would be left after the expedition was completed to require again the services of the donkeys.
After supper the boys stretched themselves on the ground near the fire which was still burning.
"We have kept together all the way as far as this," suggested Fred, "but I'm wondering now if we wouldn't do better if we divided into two parties."
"What for?" demanded Grant, sitting quickly erect.
"I've just been talking to Zeke and asking him whether he didn't think we would need more supplies than we have before we came back."
"Nonsense," said John. "We have all we want. It isn't going to take us more than a year to find that place Simon Moultrie told about. If we don't get some trace of it within a few days I'm not in favor of keeping up the search and for that reason I don't believe we'll want any more supplies."
"Nobly spoken!" laughed George. "It sounds like the supreme wisdom of Soc. What do you say about it?" he added, turning to Grant as he spoke.
"I know just enough to know that I don't know anything about it," answered Grant.
"But what do you think?" protested Fred.
"I think we may need more than we have. What does Zeke say about it?" replied Grant.