r plarties in Gland Canyon.
Hear of chance gettee job up Gland View Hotel. Go there now. Alle samee
like see boys from Circle Lanch. How Ah Sin? Him berry veil last time
hear samee."

Frank had an idea.

"See here, Charley Moi," he said; "you say you've been about the big
canyon a long time now, serving as a cook to parties who go up and down.
Perhaps we might engage you to stay with us!"

"Me cook velly fine much all timee. You tly Charley Moi, you never say
solly do samee!" declared the Oriental, his moon-like face illuminated
with a childlike and bland smile.

"But we want you for a guide too, Charley; you ought to know a heap
about the place by this time," Frank went on.

"Alle light, me do," replied the other, glibly. "No matter, cookee or
guide, alle samee. Lucky we meet. Tly flish. Just ketchee from water.
Cook to turnee. Plentee for all. Then go like Flank, Blob say. Sabe?"

As it was nearly noon the boys were quite satisfied to make a little
halt, and taste the fresh fish which the Chinaman had succeeded in
coaxing from the rushing waters of the nearby Colorado.

Later on they once again made a start. Charley Moi did everything in his
power to prove his fidelity and faithfulness. He seemed proud of the
fact that the son of the big owner of Circle Ranch, where his cousin
worked as cook for the mess, trusted him, and had employed him as a
guide. Never before in the history of the Grand Canyon had a Chinaman
held such an exalted office; and Charley believed he had cause to feel
proud.

"Can we trust him?" Bob asked, as evening came on again. "I've always
heard that Chinamen are treacherous fellows."

"Then you've heard what isn't true," Frank replied. "A Chinaman never
breaks his word. Over in the Far East I've read that all the merchants
of British cities are Chinese. The Japs are a different kind of people.
Yes, we can trust Charley Moi. He would never betray us to our enemies."

Nevertheless, that night the boys also slept on their arms, so to speak.
One of them remained on guard at different times, the entire night.
Frank had learned caution on the range. He did not mean to be taken by
surprise; though he really believed that nothing would be done to injure
them until after they had found some trace of the hidden hermit of Echo
Cave.

Before another twelve hours had passed he had occasion to change his
opinion. The night did not bring any alarm in its train. Charley Moi was
up several times, shuf