We went single file—in many places there was no other choice.
"This is what they call Fat Man's Nursery," said Jim. "Fortunately we are a lean and hungry lot."
"How are we ever going to get out of this lateral?" asked Tom. "The gold chest will be high up."
"I tell you, Tom," said Jim. "Just put a foot on one side and the other on the other side and straddle up."
This really looked possible in some places. The floor of "Lean Canyon" was mostly of solid rock, worn into hollows and curves by running water. Occasionally we came to places where our way was blocked by some huge boulder that had fallen from the cliff above.
Or there would be one wedged in half way down from the top. It was a curious sort of a place.
"If you see an old woman's face in the rock," said Juarez, "tell me; that is one sign on this trail."
We then realized that Juarez had not told us all his secret paper contained. It was the natural secretiveness of the Indian that he had not been able to throw off.
We traveled thus for half an hour, the canyon broadening, and then we came to a steady and rugged ascent.
"There is the face," exclaimed Tom suddenly.