His most natural course would be to engage in hunting with his youthful companion, and he could reasonably claim to be thus engaged if a meeting took place.
Should events prove that the plotters were too watchful to be caught off their guard, then the second phase of the business was to be considered; but it remained to be seen whether such was the fact.

The ransom was to be agreed to when it was apparent that no other course could save the lad.
Advancing with the care and stealth of a trained Indian scout, Hazletine remained but a short time near the break in the canyon, for suspecting, as did Jack Dudley, that it was in that neighborhood the key to the situation was to be found, he was exposing himself to discovery.

He climbed the same ascent, leaped the canyon, and ensconced himself on the further side.

His intention was to peer over the edge into the depths below, instead of taking the course followed later by his young friend.
He was acting on this idea, when he came within a hair of spoiling everything by committing the very blunder against which he had sought with so much pains to guard.

At his height above the torrent, as will be remembered, no one was disturbed by the roar of the waters far below.
Because of his susceptibility to sounds, he heard an exclamation uttered by some one near him.