nge extended to
the eastward, pine-clad, with deep valleys intervening; to the south
some great rocky summits, blue, impalpable, mysterious, upon the verge
of the horizon. Far below over a granite chasm wheeled an eagle on
darkening wings. The wonderfully clear air was full of the murmur of
the pines; the tone that sings of the days of primeval mystery. Far
down below the boys could see Juarez with the horses and mules.

"Hello, Juarez," cried Jim. Then in a few seconds came the answering
call, clear and distinct.

"It's wonderful how far you can hear, in this country," said Jo.

"What are you fellows stopping so long to admire, scenery?" inquired
Tom. "You would think that you never saw any before. Why don't you
investigate the ruins and see if you can't find that plan of the 'Lost
Mine.'"

"Don't get excited, Tommy," urged Jim. "Maybe you won't be elected
President of 'The Lost Mine Co.' anyway."

"I'd rather be Treasurer anyhow," replied the practical Tom.

"You'll be the janitor of the company," said Jim severely, "because
you have had so much experience shoveling coal on the _Sea Eagle_."

Tom's face flushed, and there was an early promise of a mixing up,
when Jeems intervened.

"Come, boys, never mind about fixing up your company, I'll show you
where I hid that plan about twenty years ago."

"It won't be any good now, after all that interval," declared the
pessimistic Tom.

In spite of Tom's prophecy the boys went heartily to work to clear
away the debris so they could get at the particular stone behind
which Jeems had hidden the document.

"What shape was it?" inquired Jim.

"Something like this," replied Jeems, kicking a stone near his foot.

"Maybe that's it," said Tom.

"No, it isn't. That stone was some narrower than this." After a half
hour's industrious work they finally uncovered it, and very carefully
lifted it out of its place. They leaned eagerly forward while Jim
swept his hand around trying to locate it.

"Hold a light so," he ordered.

"Aye, aye, sir," replied Jo. Then under the quick flare of a match,
Jim eagerly gripped a piece of yellowed cardboard.

"This is her picture, boys!" he cried, with much sentiment.

"Let's see the other side," said Tom.

"It's going to be difficult to make this out," remarked Jim, after
close scrutiny. He sat down upon a rock and began studying it, with
the other boys looking over his shoulder.

"That crooked line must mean a creek," said Jo.