in. "But it's something to know we are on the right trail. They
might have taken to that cross trail, you know. We'll catch up to them
sooner or later."

Once more our friends went forward, this time along the very edge of the
new ridge that had shown itself after the great landslide. They had to
advance with caution, for loose stones were numerous and so were
dangerous holes.

"We can't go much further to-night," announced Tom Dillon; presently.
"This trail ain't safe in the dark."

"All right, Mr. Dillon, we'll stop when you say so," returned Roger,
with a bit of a sigh. "How much further to where the Landslide Mine was
located?"

"Not over two miles, as the crows fly, lad; but four to five miles by
the trail."

They went into camp in the very midst of the rocks. Strange as it may
seem, there was water there, coming from a tiny spring under a huge
boulder. It had a somewhat unpleasant odor, and the horses at first
refused it, but the old miner said it was drinkable.

"Only you don't want to live on it all the year around," he added, with
a grin. "A doctor onct tole me if you did that you might turn into
stone!"

"I know what I am going to do, as soon as it gets dark enough," said
Dave to his chums, while they were preparing supper.

"What?" asked the other boys.

"I am going to look for the campfire of that crowd ahead."

"Of course!" cried Roger. "And, Dave, if it isn't too far off, maybe we
can walk to it!" he added, quickly.

"So I was thinking."

Eagerly the three boys waited for the darkness of night to fall, in the
meanwhile getting supper and tidying up the camp. Then they climbed to
the top of the highest rock that was at hand and looked around them.

"I see a fire!" cried Dave, and pointed it out.

"Yes, and it looks to be less than a mile away!" returned Roger.

"Let's walk to it!" put in Phil.

And on this plan the three chums quickly agreed.

CHAPTER XX

THE EXPOSURE

When Tom Dillon heard about the light that had been seen and the
determination to walk to it, he wanted to know how far off it was.

"If it's that close we had better all go," he announced, after being
told. "If it's Abe Blower's camp it must be in a good spot, for Abe
knows this locality as good as I do and maybe better. A mile isn't so
far. We can walk an' lead the hosses, if we have to."

Less than quarter of an hour later found them on the way. The old miner
was in front, with Roger beside him, and Dave