, and that funny business, when I had to
jump around so lively with two savage eagles tryin' to tear my eyes
out; but you just show me, Toby, and see if I don't toe the mark, like
a scout always should."

"I'm sure you will," said Toby, admiringly; and the look on his face
gave Step Hen a sense of reward for all he had suffered; in fact he
could not remember ever feeling so pleased before, because he knew
Toby Smathers was reckoned a prime judge of men, as they ran.

"How long would it take us to get up there?" asked Step Hen,
carelessly; yet no doubt with more or less anxiety, for he was
conscious of the fact that however willing the spirit might be, the
flesh was weak; and it meant a double trip, to go and come again.

"P'raps half an hour might do it," was the response of the guide.

"Up a place like this?" gasped Smithy, pointing to the wall near them.

"Well, I should hope not," said Davy Jones. "They'd be crazy to try
that sort of thing, with only the moonlight to help."

Step Hen did not say anything, but nevertheless he waited with bated
breath to hear the reply of the guide, and seemed easier in his mind
when Toby remarked:

"I don't doubt as he'd foller me, if I sez we must climb up to the top
of that same cliff agin; but 'tain't necessary. This time we foller a
canyon up, till we gets to a p'int as gives ye a view of the valley. I
don't sure know, but I reckons we orter to be able to ketch a glimpse
of the fire."

"Then let's start right now!" cried Step Hen; "I'm all worked up with
eagerness to block the little game that the old Rawson uncle is
settin' up for poor Aleck. We said that we'd see the boy through, and
we're going to do it, or drop in our tracks atryin'."

He managed to get on his feet, though only with an effort.

"Oh! yes, I admit I'm some stiff," he said in answer to Smithy's look
of sympathy; "and I'd like as not let Davy do it in my place; only he
ain't up in sendin' messages as much as I am. Wish Giraffe was here;
he's the boss hand at that. But p'raps I c'n make Thad understand. I
only hope we get the camp, all right, that's all."

It was the spirit that makes heroes that forced Step Hen to quit that
cozy camp, where he was feeling so nice and comfortable; and follow
after the tireless guide, when he walked on up the canyon. But they
would not hear a single groan from him, if he had to make his lips
bleed, biting them with his teeth. Step Hen had always wondered just
how the ol