non-existent,
as the party drank in the strong, invigorating air.

The ideas that had been suggested about this part of the country being
island-like, rising out of a vast sea of salt desert, were proved to be
correct, for during quite a fortnight's journeyings here and there they
obtained glimpses in the far distance of the glistening plains over
which hung the cloud-like haze of heat.

But whenever after scaling some height their approach towards the
boundaries of the island was revealed, the doctor called a halt, and
after a discussion with Griggs they struck off in a fresh direction
through what proved to be a perfect wonderland of mountain gorge and
forest, the home of wild animals and birds, every valley and plain
furnishing supplies, while the want of water was never once felt.

"Why, we must have pretty well explored this part of the country," said
Wilton, one evening, as they sat resting and watching the sun-glow dying
out amongst the peaks.

"A little bit of it, sir," said Griggs dryly; "just to show us how we
might spend a year or two."

"What!" cried Wilton with a mocking laugh. "If we started west
to-morrow in a couple of good marches we should be right out on the salt
plains again."

"Perhaps so; but this Amurrica's a bigger place than you think for, sir.
We're going south-west to-morrow, aren't we, doctor, so as to get a
lookout from that double-topped mountain where the tongue of desert came
right in?"

"Yes; that is what I proposed," said the doctor. "He is quite right,
Wilton. We have seen only a little of one of the grandest parts of the
country I have been in."

"Like some of the Rockies, sir," cried Griggs enthusiastically. "I
guess that Mr Wilton will alter his opinion as we go on."

"Perhaps," said Wilton good-humouredly. "I don't mind. It is, as you
folks say, very grand."

"Grander than you think, sir," said Griggs. "I went higher than the
doctor yesterday, and I think we're going to have a surprise to-morrow."

The surprise did not come that next day as Griggs had prophesied, but
two days later, when after an arduous struggle through a wild ravine,
with the perpendicular cliffs rising to such a height on either side
that the bottom was in twilight at mid-day, they took advantage of a
fall of water to halt and refresh their ponies and mules, letting them
drink their fill and then begin cropping the rich grass growing near,
while wallets were opened and the tired party lay ab