it, Dad!" exclaimed Enid, examining the carving on the box.

"Well, what are we going to do now?" asked the business-like Shirley.
"Will we abandon the tunnel and claims and let Kie Wicks have them?"

"No!" cried Bet decidedly. "I won't let him have anything! Not even
the worthless old tunnel."

"That's the way I feel about it," said the professor. "Kie didn't
treat me fairly and I don't wish him to be near my camp. On the other
hand, we shouldn't be a burden to Judge Breckenridge, who has supplied
men to guard the tunnel and help do the digging."

Bob interrupted with a shout. "Let us live here and guard the tunnel
part of the time. What about it, Paul, can you think of any more
interesting way to spend a vacation? To cook and live out like this?"

"I'm with you, Bob, if Dad says it's O. K." answered Paul Breckenridge.

"It's all right if you want to," agreed the Judge. "You could change
your camp down to the creek-bed if you wish."

"I'd rather stay on top of the mountain," answered Phil. "This just
suits me."

So it was agreed that the boys would camp with the professor and keep
Kie Wicks at a safe distance.

But Kie had had enough. Word leaked out that they had not found any
treasure. Kie did not want the claims. He was not a mining man by
temperament and hated the toil and privation that went into the working
of claims in the hills.

Day after day now Professor Gillette went in search of the Indian
ruins, hoping to find something that would give him credit in his
college. A few bits of broken pottery, some arrowheads and a foot of
crumbling wall were not the things that would bring him fame as an
explorer.

The vacation was almost over.

Only once did the girls get the old man away from his search. Before
returning home they wanted to visit the summer range where the large
herd of cattle grazed, that belonged to Judge Breckenridge. It was
five miles over the Cayuga Range.

It was Joy's first outing after her accident and she mounted the broad
back of Dolly with the same fear that she always felt with a horse.

"I'll never get used to it," she sighed, as the other girls leaped
gaily into their saddles.

But Paul Breckenridge was at her side encouraging her. Joy's sweet
helplessness appealed to the boy. The other girls often annoyed him by
their self confidence and efficiency. The gay but child-like Joy
amused and pleased him.

He liked the way Joy looked to him for protection w