“We can't live very high while we're on the trail,” said the young inventor, “but it won't be much worse than it was on Earthquake Island. Are we all ready?”
“I guess so,” answered Mr. Damon. “How long are we going to be away?”
“Until we find the diamond makers!” declared Tom, firmly.
Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off. Tom turned for a last look at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees. Would he ever come back to the Red Cloud? Would she be there when he did return? Would their quest be successful? These questions the lad asked himself, as he followed his companions along the rocky trail.
“Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out of the cave,” suggested Mr. Damon, when they had gone on for several miles.
“I fancy not,” replied Mr. Jenks. “They probably take great pains to hide it. I think though, that our best plan will be to go here and there, looking for the entrance to the cave. I believe I would remember the place.”
“But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who told you about Phantom Mountain?” asked Mr. Damon.
“Because his talk was too indefinite,” answered Mr. Jenks. “He was so frightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that he didn't take much notice of the location of the place. All he knows is that Phantom Mountain is somewhere around here.”
“And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?” asked Mr. Parker.
“Or until we see the phantom,” added Tom, in a low voice.