geyser, Frank."

"There, they have discovered us!" the other exclaimed, as he waved his
torch in what he meant to be a friendly way, and kept on advancing.

"Whew! I just hope he doesn't try to fire on us," muttered Bob, who
was nervously fingering his rifle, and wondering how dreadful it would
feel to be compelled, even in self-defense, to shoot at a fellow human
being.

But the old miner held up both hands. It was the Indian peace sign,
understood by every savage tribe on the face of the globe.

Quickly the two boys hurried forward, for the first symptoms of another
burst of thunder and furious wind began to make themselves felt.

This time Frank did not take off any of his outer clothing in order to
protect the torch. He had noted that the old miner had _two_ lanterns,
and he expected to borrow one, if necessary.

Of course his torch was snuffed out while the furious blast swept by.
Bob noted that each successive outbreak tried to beat the record, and
he was wondering just when the limit of endurance might be reached.

The old miner, after the roar had subsided, offered the two boys his
hand.

"How are ye, young Haywood?" he asked, recognizing Frank. "I heard
about what you done for my little gal here, Inez Lopez, whose father
was once a cowboy on the Circle ranch, and lost his life in a fight
with some of his countrymen when they quarreled. I'm glad to see you.
Found a nice little pocket here a year or so back. Kept it on the
quiet; and the gal, playing the part of a boy, has been fetchin' me
supplies once in two months, an' takin' away the dust I winnowed.
Pocket's played out now, but I reckons as how I've got plenty. 'Sides,
I just don't like the way things is agoin' here. That spoutin' geyser
that rises up inside the old mountain every once in a while acts like
it meant to break loose. Never saw it carry on that bad before; and
we're just ready to cut and run, leavin' most of the truck behind.
What brings ye here, Frank?"

So Frank had to explain in a few words, while the old miner looked
admiringly at the boys, and grinned.

"I admire your nerve, young fellers," he declared, at the conclusion of
the explanation. "And, Frank, ye guessed the true facts, blessed if ye
didn't! I got onto the same by accident. Fell in through a hole, and
just had to creep along this passage to the end. Then havin' guessed
what made the roar, I wondered if so be I could find any stuff in here.
So I took a lot