Stalking down the hillside, he rejoined Sanders, who had paused a short distance away, and the latter was heard to exclaim in a stage whisper, "Some people's middle name is meanness."
A moment later, the two were lost to view amidst the shrubbery.
When at length the tired boys reached the hilltop, a beautiful view repaid them. Patches of blue sky appeared between dazzling white clouds and straight ahead rose the frowning walls of Crescent and Round Mountains, with the gorge of Canyon River at the base of the former.
Making their way past a small cabin which stood in an open space, the boys walked out as far as they dared.
Exclamations of wonder and admiration escaped their lips. Far below them, the water foamed and madly tossed, as it rushed into the narrow confines of the gorge. For a long distance it stretched ahead, dark and gloomy, then disappeared behind a jutting crag at a point where the walls separated, leaving a grassy strip on each side of the river. To the left, at a great height, the weather-beaten summit of Crescent Mountain was partially obscured by a slowly-moving cloud.
"I never saw anything finer," declared Bob Somers, at length.
"Think of getting spilled into that current," murmured Dick, whose thoughts turned in another direction.
"You'd be a goner," said Havens, dryly.
"Suppose, after all, we won't see that waterfall," continued Bob, in a tone of regret, "eh, Sam?"
"Not much danger of seeing it, but lots trying to," grinned Havens. "I've climbed most of the mountains around, but I let those two fellows alone."