the trout, were very good to eat.

Albert's exploit caused him intense satisfaction, and Dick
rejoiced with him, not alone because of the fish, but also
because of his brother's triumph.

Chapter V
The Lost Valley

They spent a week on the slope, sleeping securely and warmly
under their blankets in the pine alcove, and fortune favored them
throughout that time. It did not rain once, and there was not a
sign of the Sioux. Dick did not revisit the pass after the first
three days, and he knew that the wolves and buzzards had been
busy there. But he stripped quite clean the wagon which had
fallen in the gully, even carrying away the canvas cover, which
was rainproof. Albert wondered that the Sioux had not returned,
but Dick had a very plausible theory to account for it.

"The Sioux are making war upon our people," he said, "and why
should they stay around here? They have cut off what is
doubtless the first party entering this region in a long time,
and now they have gone eastward to meet our troops. Beside, the
Sioux are mostly plains Indians, and they won't bother much about
these mountains. Other Indians, through fear of the Sioux, will
not come and live here, which accounts for this region being
uninhabited."

"Still a wandering band of Sioux might come through at any time
and see us," said Albert.

"That's so, and for other reasons, too, we must move. It's
mighty fine, Al, sleeping out in the open when the weather's dry
and not too cold, but I've read that the winter in the
northwestern mountains is something terrible, and we've got to
prepare for it."

It was Dick's idea to go deeper into the mountains. He knew very
well that the chance of their getting out before spring were too
slender to be considered, and he believed that they could find
better shelter and a more secure hiding place farther in. So he
resolved upon a journey of exploration, and though Albert was now
stronger, he must go alone. It was his brother's duty to remain
and guard their precious stores. Already bears and mountain lions,
drawn by the odors of the food, had come snuffing about the
alcove, but they always retreated from the presence of either of
the brothers. One huge silver tip had come rather alarmingly
close, but when Dick shouted at him he, too, turned and lumbered
off among the pines.

"What you want to guard against, Al," said Dick, "is thieves
rather than robbers. Look out for the sneaks. We'll fill th