lain.

"What a place to live in!" thought Bart, for there were grass, flowers,
bushes, stunted trees, and cactuses, similar to those below them on the
plain. In fact, it seemed to Bart as if this was a piece--almost
roughly rounded--of the plain that had been left when the rest sank down
several hundred feet, or else that this portion had been thrust right up
to stand there, bold and bluff, ready to defy the fury of any storms
that might blow.

The Doctor led the way half round, till he found what he considered a
suitable spot near the edge on the northern side of the mountain; and
there being no need to fear the Indians any longer, he set Joses to work
with the pick to clear out a narrow rift, into which the pole they had
brought was lowered, and wedged up perpendicularly with fragments of
rock, one of which Bart saw was almost a mass of pure silver; then
staves were set against the bottom, and bound there for strength; then
guy ropes added, and secured to well-driven-down pegs; and lastly, as a
defiance to the Indians, and a declaration of the place being owned by
the government, under whose consent they had formed the expedition, the
national flag was run up, amidst hearty cheers, and its folds blew out
strongly in the breeze.

"Now," said the Doctor, "we are under the protection of the flag, and
can do as we please."

"Don't see as the flag will be much protection," growled Joses; "but
it'll bring the Injun down on us before long."

The Doctor did not hear these words, for he was beginning to explore the
top of the mountain, and making plans for converting the place into a
stronghold. Bart heard them, however, and turned to the grumbler.

"Do you think the Indians will notice the flag, Joses?" he said.

"Do I think the Injuns will notice it, Master Bart? Why, they can't
help noticing it. Isn't it flap, flap, flapping there, and asking them
to come as hard as it can. Why, they'll see that bit o' rag miles and
miles away, and be swooping down almost before we know where we are.
Mark my words if they'll not. We shall have to sleep with one eye open
and the other not shut, Master Bart, that's what we shall have to do."

"Well, we shall be strong enough now to meet any number," said Bart.

"Yes, if they don't catch us just as we are least expecting it. Dessay
the Doctor knows best, but we shall never get much of that silver home
on account of the Apaches."

"Oh yes, we shall, Joses," said Bart, merrily.