I will go first, with a pony tied to mine.

The two lads will follow, then either you, Zeke, or Joe, can take the last pony, and the other one ride in the rear, so that you can keep us well in sight, and yet be far enough off to use your ears." For an hour they continued their course south, the ground rising as they went.

Then they reached a dip running west.
"We will follow this," Dave said; "it is the right direction anyhow, and it is as likely to take us down into the valleys again in time." As they proceeded, the dip became more decided, and after two hours' riding the sides narrowed in.
"We shall strike a water-course soon," Dave said, turning round to speak to Tom, who was riding next to him.

"The water that falls here has got to make its way out somewhere, and this is the only way as it can go.
Not that there is much water, for it is often months without rain." Presently they found that the ground was covered with pebbles.
"There is the water-course, you see," Dave said.
The fall became steeper and steeper, and the ground more stony; low trees and bushes rose on the slopes on either side.
"We had best dismount here," Dave said; "it is growing mighty steep, and we may come upon a sudden fall anywhere, and it is mighty difficult to judge about depth in the moonlight." The lads were heartily glad at the order, for they had for some time been momentarily expecting that their horses would come down over the bowlders.
"I will go twenty yards ahead," Dave said.

"You had better loose the baggage-ponies and let them pick their own way.