nce soon
rested over the little group.

The afternoon was waning and the night would soon be at hand. Already
shadows were creeping over the gulches and canyons and the reflections
were weird and in places fantastic. In the fading light the vivid colors
of the sides of the canyons became softer. The coming of the night seemed
to cast its spell over all.

The Go Ahead Boys had become quiet. Even the stories of Pete, who a few
minutes before had joined the band, seemed to be as unreal as the empty
shells. Few questions were asked and it was not plain that all the boys
were listening.

Suddenly John arose and exclaimed, "There comes Zeke! I wonder what he has
to report."

In a moment John's companions had joined him and all four were advancing
to meet the guide who was returning from the rim of the Gulch.

CHAPTER XXVI

CONCLUSION

"Where have you been, Zeke?" called John.

"Down, 'n the Gulch," replied the guide gruffly.

"What did you find? Did you see any one?"

"Nothing to speak of," retorted Zeke, who plainly was not disposed to
recount the story of his recent adventures.

Without halting, the guide said, "The Navajos will be coming soon."

"What do you mean?" demanded John excitedly.

"Just what I say," said Zeke.

"Do you mean the whole Navajo tribe or just the two that we've seen?"

"You certainly be the most innocent chap I've ever seen," remarked Zeke
irritably, as for a moment he halted and looked sternly at the two boys.
"Of course I mean Thomas Jefferson and Kitoni."

"What are they coming up for?" demanded Fred.

"Children should be seen and not heard," retorted Zeke.

John laughed, but the face of his diminutive friend flushed angrily though
he did not reply to the statement of the leader.

Plainly Zeke was not inclined to talk. In silence he led the way back to
the camp without referring again to his visit or explaining what his
future plans were to be.

Neither would he talk after he had arrived, except to remark that it would
be time enough to talk when the Navajos came.

Two hours later Thomas Jefferson arrived in camp. The time had been
hanging heavily upon the hands of the Go Ahead Boys and the coming of the
Indian provided a sharp relief.

"Where's Kitoni?" demanded George as Thomas Jefferson alone entered the
camp.

"I cannot say."

"Are you expecting him pretty soon?"

"I expect him to be here when he shall come."

"That's quite a remarkable statement, isn'