"Yes," replied George foolishly. "I must have dropped behind Grant and Zeke. We were pretty well spread out here anyway."
"How long ago did it happen?"
"About fifty years, I should judge by my feelings," replied George dryly. "I fancy it really was about an hour or two."
"Why didn't Grant and Zeke come back and look for you?"
"Perhaps they did. They may have passed the place without knowing that I was anywhere near. But how is it that you are here alone? Where are String and Pete?"
"That's what I don't know," said Fred.
"What do you mean?"
"Just what I say, I haven't the slightest idea where they are."
"Where did you leave them?"
"Way back near the entrance of Thorn's Gulch. We stopped in the middle of the day yesterday and after we had eaten our luncheon I began to make some investigations of my own. That's the last I've seen of either Pete or Jack and besides I haven't had a mouthful to eat since yesterday noon."