was very short; and when Bart and he looked round they were not
above a couple of hundred yards apart, and the Beaver and a couple of
Indians were cantering towards them.

That evening their messengers returned with a couple of the white men
and two waggons, which were taken in triumph next morning to the camp,
heavily laden with bison-meat; and as they came near the mountain, Bart
drew rein to stay and watch the curious sight before him, for, evidently
in pursuance of the Doctor's idea to make the top of the mountain the
stronghold of the silver adventurers, there was quite a crowd of the
people toiling up the path up the mountain, all laden with packages and
the various stores that had been brought for the adventure.

"Been pretty busy since we've been gone, Master Bart," said Joses,
grimly. "Won't they come scuffling down again when they know there's
meat ready for sharing out."

But Joses was wrong, for the meat was not shared out down in the plain,
but a second relay of busy hands were set to work to carry the store of
fresh food right up the mountain-side to a tent that had already been
pitched on the level top, while as soon as the waggons were emptied they
were drawn up in rank along with the others close beneath the wall-like
rock.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

DOWN IN THE SILVER CANYON.

The Doctor had not lost any time. Tents had been set up, and men were
busy raising sheds of rough stone which were to be roofed over with
poles. But at the same time, he had had men toiling away in opening up
a rift that promised to yield silver pretty bounteously, for the ancient
mine seemed hardly a likely place now, being dangerous, and the
principal parts that were easy of access apparently pretty well worked
out.

This was something of a disappointment, but a trifling one, for the
mountain teemed with silver, and then there was the canyon to explore.

This the Doctor proposed to examine on the day following Bart's return,
for the services of the chief would be required to find a way down
unless the descent was to be made by ropes.

The Beaver and his interpreter were brought to the Doctor's tent, and
the matter being explained, the Indian smiled, and expressed his
willingness to show them at once; so a few preparations having been
made, and some provisions packed in case that the journey should prove
long, Bart, the Doctor, Joses, and the interpreter started, leaving the
Beaver in front to lead the way.

He