they were stopping at
a place he would go off on what he termed a "still hunt," hoping
thereby to pick up a stray bit of information which would put him on
the right track to learn of his father's whereabouts.

The drive up through Walnut Port to Lehigh Gap was very nice. At the
latter place they stopped over night, and then pushed on to Lehighton,
sometimes along the river, and then by way of a road through and
around the mountains.

"This scenery is just grand!" cried Matt, as they were driving on
about ten o'clock in the forenoon. "Just look at that mountain over
yonder! And see how the river winds along through the valley below
here!"

"It is very fine, indeed!" returned Andy. "But I'll tell you what: I
would rather be on horseback than in the wagon. It seems to me that
some of the bends around the mountain side are positively dangerous."

"Oh, I guess not, Andy. Why, look, there is a regular wagon road. If
other wagons can pass along here, I fancy we can do so, too."

"Other wagons may not be as heavy as ours, with that big case tied on
behind. Don't you notice how Billy slips every once in awhile?"

"Well, we might have had him shod sharp when we had the wagon
overhauled," returned Matt slowly, as he noticed for the first time
that Billy did slip more than usual. "We can have it done during our
stop at Mauch Chunk or at Lehighton, if it becomes necessary. Maybe we
are on the wrong road again."

"Well, certainly this road is growing worse instead of better," said
Andy soberly. "Just look at that turn ahead! The road isn't over ten
feet wide, and it slopes down to that steep hill----"

"Drive as close to the inside wall as you can," was Matt's somewhat
nervous reply, as he saw the possible danger ahead. "Steady now,
Billy, steady!"

The horse moved along slowly up to the curve which ran around the
mountain side. As Andy had said, the road at this point was scarcely
ten feet wide, and on the other side was a steep downward slope,
terminating below at a tiny brook filled with loose rocks.

The curve was reached, and the two were just congratulating themselves
upon having passed the dangerous spot in safety, when a large bird,
flying from a near-by bush, frightened Billy and caused him to shy to
one side.

In another instant the wagon was at the very edge of the slope!

CHAPTER XXXII.

AN INTERESTING LETTER.

To Andy and Matt it looked as if the entire turn-out must slide down
the hillside t