rge, when the leading Indian
smiled and went on again.

"This will not do," I said to Gunson. "Stop a few minutes," he said,
thoughtfully.--"Let's see. I think they understand us."

So we followed them back for a couple of hundred yards or so, when they
stopped short, pointed upwards, and began to ascend the side of the
valley at a spot where it was too stony for any trace of a track to be
seen, but where it was possible to climb up and up, with the way growing
more giddy moment by moment, and the exertion so great that we were soon
glad to shift our packs.

This brought the Indians to a stand, and their leader said something
which was responded to by four of the men taking our packs and bearing
them for us, the chief going first, and the other man taking the spears
of those who carried the loads, and walking last.

In a few minutes we were where the smoke of our fire rose up in faint
blue wreaths right above our heads, and all doubts of there being a way
was at an end, for without the slightest hesitation the Indians went on,
their leader evidently quite at home, though as I looked down I could
only see rugged stones, without a trace of their having been worn by
feet, while above us was the vast wall of rock along whose side we crept
like so many ants, and below there was the river foaming and roaring
along toward the mouth.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

ESAU IN DIFFICULTIES.

"Oh dear! oh dear!" whispered Esau, as he came up close behind me.

"What's the matter?"

"'Spose they pitch us head over-heels down here and go off with our
loads, what then?"

"We shouldn't be tired to-night, Esau."

"Oh, I say, don't laugh," he whispered; "it's too dreadful. What a
place to come along! Feel giddy?"

"No; don't talk about it," I replied quickly, for the idea was too
horrible. But I took heart as I glanced at the loaded men, who walked
on as calmly as if there were no danger whatever, while Quong came
behind Esau, quite as coolly.

I am afraid to say at what angle the rocky wall went up above us. Esau
declared it was quite straight, which was absurd; but I believe I am
right in saying that the part along which the principal Indian led us
was as steep as it was possible for a man to make his way along, while
over and over again the rock curved right above our heads.

It was evident that we were going along a regular track, for the Indian
never hesitated. Sometimes he led the way down and down till we were