We may say what we like, but they will make a guess that we have located something rich, and are going back to work it quietly and keep it to ourselves, and like enough some of them will take it in their heads to follow us.

Anyhow, we will travel south for a day or two, and then turn off sharp to the west.

It aint as I should grudge anyone else a share in the mine, but the more there are the more chance of the Injuns finding us.

Besides, some of these chaps are so reckless that like as not they would light a big fire if they wanted to cook a loaf of bread.

We three have been up that way before, although not so far as we are going now, and we know what we have got to expect, and that, if we are going to bring our scalps out again, we have got to sleep with our eyes open." Another fortnight's traveling and they had passed the last settlements, had left Fort Mason behind them, and had entered the country that the Apaches and kindred tribes claimed as their own.
The two lads had enjoyed the journey immensely.