"
After supper had been cooked and eaten, and the dishes washed, all
hands gathered around the camp-fire, where they remained until
bedtime, which on that particular night was earlier than usual,
because all were more or less tired after their active day.
It was decided that some one should be left on guard lest they lose
their remaining stock. The Professor took the first half of the
night, Tad going on at half past twelve and remaining through the rest
of the night.
Nothing occurred to disturb the camp, for which all hands were
thankful. Tents were quickly struck after breakfast and once more the
outfit started out on the trail after having discussed the
advisability of bearing to the west a little. Their final conclusion,
however, was to keep within sight of the gorge.
Two days passed as the little outfit crawled along over the rough
mountain passes, down through broad deep washes and narrow draws. It
was trying work, but the lads kept up their spirits. So inured were
they to hardships, by this time, that the unusual strain gave them
little or no inconvenience.
On the morning of the third day they had about decided to change the
course and try to find their way out of the mountains as the quickest
method of getting out of their predicament.
They were gathering their equipment together preparatory to making a
start in the new direction, when Tad startled the camp by a sudden
exclamation of surprise.
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