“Yes, come ahead!” cried Dave.
Just for a moment they watched the column of dusky figures progressing farther out into the river; and thus being buffeted about from shore to shore the lads could not help but feel a certain sympathy for them.
With Dave Brandon in the lead they crashed down the incline, slipping and sliding, scattering rocks and stones in their passage. Then once more at the base all started pell-mell toward the river. Their view to the north remained cut off by intervening ridges, until the bank of the Rio was reached. From that point they could see far ahead another group of riders—a sight which put hope into their hearts.
“Quick, Dave! Hoist that magnifier to your optics!” pleaded Don.
There was a moment’s tense silence as the historian obeyed, and a shout when he exclaimed, with an audible sigh of relief: “Boys, it looks all right to me—but——”
“What?” demanded Sam.
“I can’t understand what has become of all those other riders we saw.”
“We’ll soon know all about it,” said Don, cheerfully.
The boys’ rapid walking and the Rangers’ steady pace brought the two parties together much sooner than the former had anticipated.
“Hello, there!” yelled Don. “Is everybody all right?”