It was a wonderful view, and it held the boys for a minute, accustomed though they were to unusual scenes. There was a vastness and freedom about it that would be hard to equal. Range after range extended to the eastward, pine-clad, with deep valleys intervening; to the south some great rocky summits, blue, impalpable, mysterious, upon the verge of the horizon. Far below over a granite chasm wheeled an eagle on darkening wings. The wonderfully clear air was full of the murmur of the pines; the tone that sings of the days of primeval mystery. Far down below the boys could see Juarez with the horses and mules.
“Hello, Juarez,” cried Jim. Then in a few seconds came the answering call, clear and distinct.
“It’s wonderful how far you can hear, in this country,” said Jo.
“What are you fellows stopping so long to admire, scenery?” inquired Tom. “You would think that you never saw any before. Why don’t you investigate the ruins and see if you can’t find that plan of the ‘Lost Mine.’”
“Don’t get excited, Tommy,” urged Jim. “Maybe you won’t be elected President of ‘The Lost Mine Co.’ anyway.”
“I’d rather be Treasurer anyhow,” replied the practical Tom.
“You’ll be the janitor of the company,” said Jim severely, “because you have had so much experience shoveling coal on the Sea Eagle.”
Tom’s face flushed, and there was an early promise of a mixing up, when Jeems intervened.
“Come, boys, never mind about fixing up your company, I’ll show you where I hid that plan about twenty years ago.”