he just scared out of his seven senses? Perhaps
there's a strong current of air in that place, along with the noise,
and that took hold of Joe."

"Well, I wouldn't like to say," replied the other, cautiously. "This I
do know, and I saw it with my own eyes. Joe's fancy Mexican jacket was
torn nearly into ribbons; and I could see marks of blood, too."

"Whew! you don't say?" ejaculated Bob. "Then something _did_ get hold
of him; didn't it, Frank?"

"Looked like it," admitted the other.

"His jacket was torn into ribbons, you said--then I reckon whatever
tackled Joe had pretty sharp claws, Frank!" Bob continued.

"I thought as much myself. In other words, Bob, the man was attacked
by some wild beast that has its den in yonder. In the dark, with all
that terrible noise going on, Joe thought it was a monster from the
underworld. If he keeps on telling that story, ten to one, after a
while, he'll vow it had eyes of fire, and a tongue of blue flame. Joe
was frightened half to death, and a man in that condition gets to
seeing things that never did exist. Now, how's that?"

While speaking Frank had managed to light one of the cedar torches he
carried. The wood burned readily, and with persistence. It would make
a good substitute for a lantern. Indeed, Bob was enthusiastic over the
success attending his chum's effort.

"Couldn't be beat, that's what!" he cried.

"Well, there's nothing to keep us now," declared Frank.

"But what can I do?" asked the other. "Want me to light a torch too,
Frank?"

"No, one ought to be enough. You fall in just behind me, and Bob,
perhaps you'd better keep your gun handy."

"Oh! you're thinking now of that demon Joe told about, eh, Frank?"

"Perhaps. If it jumps out at us give a center shot, if you can," the
saddle boy advised, as he led the way forward toward the black spot
which they had guessed must be the cave entrance spoken of by Spanish
Joe.

They were quickly at the wall, and had no difficulty in learning that,
just as they had guessed, the yawning hole was there. Frank, without
the slightest hesitation, stepped through the opening. Bob did
likewise, holding his gun in readiness for immediate use.

The light of the blazing torch lighted up the interior. They could see
that, so far, there was nothing remarkable about the cave, save that it
seemed to stretch away into dim distance, with various twists and
curves.

"What are you sniffing about, Frank?" demand