A torrent roared its way through the canyon, slashing past grim, gray rocks, a churning mixture of green and white, carrying on its battling surface occasional branches and bright-colored autumn leaves.
Close to the water's edge, the boys collected a quantity of fuel and started a fire. Dick and Tim officiated as cooks, and soon had ready a generous supply of bacon, flapjacks and coffee.
While they were busily engaged in disposing of the last morsels, Dick jumped abruptly to his feet.
"By the great horn spoon—look!" he yelled.
The eyes of the startled boys followed the direction indicated by his outstretched arm.
Uttering cries of dismay, they jumped to their feet.
Far up on the mountain slope, several moving specks could be plainly seen against a background of rocks. Small as the objects were, they cut out sharply in the form of horsemen.
Bob Somers was the first to break the silence.
"Great Scott! What in thunder do you think of that?" he gasped. "And so far ahead!"
He stared, in turn, at six downcast faces.