hem to be on the way, because he desired to reach the rim
of the crater while they still were able to see. What his reasons were
the boys did not know. They took for granted that Dad knew his business,
which Dad did. He had spent many years in this rough country and knew
it well. The Grand Canyon was his home. He lived in it the greater
part of the year. When winter came, Dad, with his mustang, his cattle
and equipment would descend into the Grand Canyon far from snow and
bitter cold into a land of perpetual summer, where, beside the roaring
Colorado, he would spend the winter alone with his beloved Canyon.

Dad's was a strange nature. He understood the moods of the great gash
in the plateau; he seemed literally to be able to translate the
mysterious moans and whispers of the wind as it swirled between the
rocky walls and went shrieking up the painted sides of the gulches.

But of all this the boys knew nothing as yet. It was all to be revealed
to them later.

"You'll have a look over the country tomorrow," said Dad.

"Where is the Canyon?" asked Tad, eager for a view of the wonderful spot.

"You'll get a glimpse of it in the morning. You'll know the place when
you get to it. Here we be at the top. There's the hole."

Chunky peered into the crater rather timidly.

"How do you get down?" he asked.

"Slide," answered Ned.

"I can do that, but what's at the bottom?"

"The same thing. Cinders and lava," answered Tad. "What would you
expect to find in a volcano?"

"I'd never expect to find Stacy Brown in one, and I'm not sure that I'm
going to."

"All hands follow me. There's no danger," called the guide, shouldering
his pack and leaping and sliding down the sharp incline. He was
followed by the boys with shouts of glee. They went tumbling head over
heels, laughing, whooping, letting off their excess steam. The
Professor's grim face relaxed in a smile; Dad's eyes twinkled.

"We'll take it out of them by and by," he confided to the Professor.

"You don't know them," answered Professor Zepplin. "Better men than
you or I have tried it. Remember, they are young. We are old men.
Of course, it is different with you. You are hardened to the work,
still I think they could tire both of us out."

"We'll see about that."

"Whoop-e-e!" came the voice of Tad Butler far below them. "I'm at the
bottom. Any wild animals down here, Dad?"

"Only one at present. There'll be three more in a minute."