The stout boy, with an alarming series of sighs and groans, obeyed.
At last all stood safely on the top, and agreed with Howard that no one who did not know the lay of the land would care to venture down.
"Howard, you have a pile of courage," said Bob, and Fenton smiled at the compliment.
After another short stop, he piloted them into the forest, following his blazed trail without difficulty.
The logger's hut was soon reached. Jake Lawson proved to be a rough, raw-boned mountaineer with an original manner of speech. He was profoundly astonished at the arrival of the boys, and still more astonished when he learned of their adventure in the canyon.
"Wal, wal," he exclaimed, elevating his shaggy eyebrows; "if this hyar keeps up, they'll be a-sendin' pleasure parties through the gorge, an' takin' up tickets at t'other end."
The four partook of a good, square meal of bacon and beans at the cabin, and then resumed their march.
Late in the afternoon, weary, dusty and footsore, they arrived at the Resort House.