veered violently to and fro like the
path of a drunken man. Dick inferred at once that it had been
made, not by a wagon entering the pass, but by one leaving it,
and in great haste. No doubt the horses or mules had been
running away in fright at the firing.

Dick's curiosity was excited. He wished to see what had become
of that wagon. The trail continued to lead through the short
bushes that covered the plain just before entering the pass, and
then turned off sharply to the right, where it led to an abrupt
little canyon or gully about ten feet deep. The gully also was
lined with bushes, and at first Dick could see nothing else, but
presently he made out a wagon lying on its side. No horses or
mules were there; undoubtedly, they had torn themselves loose
from the gear in time to escape the fall.

Dick laid down his pack and descended to the wagon. He believed
that in such a place it had escaped the plundering hands of the
hasty Sioux, and his belief was correct. The wagon, a large one,
was loaded with all the articles necessary for the passage of the
plains. Although much tossed about by the fall, nothing was
hurt.

Here was a treasure-trove, indeed! Dick's sudden sense of wealth
was so overpowering that he felt a great embarrassment. How was
he to take care of such riches? He longed at that moment for the
strength of twenty men, that he might take it all at once and go
over the mountain to Albert.

It was quite a quarter of an hour before he was able to compose
himself thoroughly. Then he made a hasty examination of the
wagon, so far as its position allowed. He found in it a rifle of
the same pattern as that used by Albert and himself, a
sixteen-shot repeater, the most advanced weapon of the time, and
a great quantity of cartridges to fit. There was also two of the
new revolvers, with sufficient cartridges, another ax, hatchets,
saws, hammers, chisels, and a lot of mining tools. The remaining
space in the wagon was occupied by clothing, bedding, provisions,
and medicines.

Dick judged that the wolves could not get at the wagon as it lay,
and leaving it he began his third ascent of the slope. He found
Albert sound asleep in the pine alcove with his rifle beside
him. He looked so peaceful that Dick was careful not to awaken
him. He stored the second load of treasure in the alcove, and,
wrapping one of the heavy blankets around himself, slept heavily.

He told Albert the next day of the wagon