of to-morrow before we see the works."

"And the provisions I took from Tim and Gus are all gone."

"I've got enough for supper, if we don't eat too hearty, and the balance
of the time we can suck our thumbs."

"Then we'd better make another start. It must be three o'clock."

"Do you know the straight cut?"

"I'm not even certain we're heading right."

"By keeping on the high land we are bound to come out somewhere near
Farley's or Blacktown."

When the journey was continued Gus took good care to give his captors no
trouble, for he understood that Joe would show but little mercy, if
there was any attempt to cause delay.

At a reasonably rapid pace the three marched until darkness forced a
halt, and then the small amount of provisions Brace had brought was
consumed without satisfying the hunger of either member of the party.

Gus was tied between his captors, where he could stretch himself at full
length, and the night passed quietly. There was no longer any fear Tim
could effect a rescue, even though he might be near at hand, and Fred
enjoyed a most refreshing rest.

What all hoped would prove to be the last day's journey was begun
without breakfast, and the advance was by no means rapid.

At ten o'clock Fred declared he could go no farther without a rest, and
the party sought shelter from the sun under a wide spreading tree, where
a view could be had of a depression in the land for some distance ahead.

Joe and Fred were facing this open stretch, and had but just begun to
discuss the subject which was ever uppermost in their minds--the coal
vein--when a figure carrying a heavy burden emerged from the thicket on
the lower side, evidently bent on ascending the mountain.

"Now, what can that fellow be doing?" Joe asked, as he arose to his
feet. "It's a boy, an' we'd be in big luck if it should turn out to be
that precious Tim."

"But it isn't; he wears a cap, and this one has a hat. It looks
something like----Why it is! It's Skip!"

"Skip?" Joe repeated in amazement. "What's he doin' out here, an' with
such a load?"

"In order to answer that question I shall have to ask him," and Fred
shouted the boy's name.

Skip started as if alarmed at being summoned, and then, waving his hat
in triumph, he came toward the party at his best pace.

"I knew I'd find you if I hunted long enough," he exclaimed as he came
within speaking distance, and added when he finally reached the tree
and threw down the burden. "