e family of Rawson, and let them share in our luck. And now,
as the afternoon is getting along, we'd better be thinking of
hurrying, if we hope to camp in the valley this coming night."

They made a little spurt, though it was always next to impossible to
hurry those two independent pack animals, as contrary by nature as
anything could be. Step Hen indeed declared they would do well to
turn the animals around, and _pretend_ to want to go in the other
direction; when Mike and Molly would keep on backing until they had
reached the valley below in good style.

The sun was of course out of sight behind the mountainous wall
standing like a great barrier in the west, when the little company of
scouts finally reached the base of the eastern ridge.

"Thar's a hunky camp site jest over beyond that bunch of trees, boys;"
the guide announced; "plenty of good drinkin' water for man, an' beast
too. So let's head that way. Reckon you-all must be some tired with
that long trip in acrost the range."

Five minutes later, and they drew up at the spot, which Thad
immediately saw was just the place for pilgrims to pass a night.

"Hello! there's been a fire here!" exclaimed Giraffe, always on the
lookout for anything that pertained to a blaze; for he was the
greatest fire worshipper ever known.

The guide flung himself down beside the ashes, and felt of them; while
the scouts waited to hear what his report would be.

"Somebody camped here jest last night," declared the forest ranger,
quickly; "and like as not 'twar that ole Kunnel Kracker an' his party,
bound to comb these mountains onct more, lookin' for the lost silver
mine!"

CHAPTER III.

THE LETTERS OF FIRE ON THE CLIFF.

"Now, how'd he know that, Allan? D'ye reckon he tells the same way you
would?" asked Step Hen, immediately interested.

Some of the others had seen the Maine boy do various "stunts" along
the line of woodcraft, on previous occasions; and among others he had
been able to tell just about how many hours previous a fire had been
abandoned, by the "feel" of the ashes, as Giraffe always declared.

"Pretty much the same, I suppose, Step Hen," replied the other,
pleasantly, for Allan, being one of the officers of the patrol, was
always glad to find any of the scouts interested in picking up
information; and never refused to assist to the best of his ability.

Toby was examining the ground around the ashes with those snapping
eyes of his, small in point