No amount of searching brought it to view again, and
after more than an hour of persistent effort, the Professor called the
hunt off, and the crestfallen party returned to camp.
"What are we going to do?" asked Stacy dolefully.
"I know what you are going to do," returned Ned.
"What?"
"You're going to ride a mule from this point on."
CHAPTER VIII
THE INDIAN MAKES A DISCOVERY
It was not a cheerful breakfast to which the lads sat down. It seemed
as if nothing but trouble had overtaken them ever since they had been
in the Ozark Mountains.
They had just finished when the Indian rode in on Ned's mount, which
he had chosen for his journey.
This was something at least to detract their attention from their
troubles.
"Hey, you haven't got back, have you?" taunted Ned, noting the flecks
of foam on his pony with disapproving eyes.
"Me back," grinned the Indian.
"I see you are," replied the Professor dryly. "Where's the rope?"
"Yes; we don't care so much about seeing you, but we want that rope,"
added Ned emphatically.
"No got um."
"Do you mean to say you have been gone nearly twenty-four hours and
have not found a rope?" demanded Professor Zepplin.
"No rope," persisted the guide sullenly.
"Why not?" demanded Ned, steadying himself, for he was more wrought up
than he wished to admit, even to himself.
Pages:
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73