Matt and Chub sat down on a couple of stones and leaned back against the steep wall behind them. Through the opening they could look out toward the claim and see Jacks taking Perry's horse to the spring. Saddle and bridle were stripped from the horse, and the animal was secured with a long rope and picket-pin. After taking care of the horse, Jacks went back to McReady's camp, started a fire, and began getting supper.
"Consarn 'em!" growled Chub, "they're taking everything in sight."
"We'll not make any kick," answered Matt, "so long as they give us our supper. I feel as though I'd been through a famine. Besides, we need food for our night's work."
He dropped his voice, to make sure Bisbee could not hear.
"Night's work?" echoed Chub. "About all the work we'll do to-night, Matt, will be to sit on these boulders and try to sleep."
"That's where you're wrong. When it's dark enough, and everything's quiet, I'm going to climb out of here, fix up the Comet, and take this location notice to Phœnix."
"Shucks! What's the use? Even if you succeeded, you couldn't reach town before to-morrow. The other notice will have been recorded long before then."
"I'll not say we're beaten until the recorder himself tells me it's too late."
Admiration for his chum rose in Chub's eyes, although he shook his head hopelessly.
"That's your style, Matt—you never seem to know when you're down and out. How're you goin' to get out of here?"