t was, in Jeff's own words, a "fierce journey." The heat left them
drenched in perspiration, and wiltering. The two packhorses fought for
their very lives, often hock deep in a sucking mire. While the beasts,
who bore the burden of their exacting masters, were driven to battle
every inch of the way against a fiercely obstinate rampart of dense
grown bush.

Mercifully the gorge was less than three miles in length. A greater
distance must have left the nervous equine mind staggered, and
helpless, and beaten. As it was nearly three hours of incessant
struggle only served to pass the final barrier.

"Phew!"

Jeff Masters drew off his hat as they emerged upon the wide opening of
a great valley. Then he flung himself out of the saddle and began to
sweep the blood-inflated mosquitoes from his horse's flanks. Bud, with
less haste, proceeded to do the same. Finally, both men walked round
the weary beasts and examined the security of the packs on the led
horses.

Bud pointed down the valley with one outstretched arm.

"We'll make that way," he said, his deep eyes dwelling almost
affectionately upon the wide stretch of blue-tinted grass. "Guess
we'll take the high land an' camp fer food."

Then he turned back to his horse and remounted. Jeff silently followed
his example and they rode on.

For many minutes no word passed between them. Each was busy with his
own particular thoughts. The deep look of friendly affection was still
in Bud's eyes. Jeff was far less concerned with the wonderful scene
slowly unfolding itself as they proceeded than with the purpose of his
journey. He knew they had reached the central point from which they
were to radiate their search of the labyrinth of hills. His mind was
upon the wealth of possibility before them. The difficulties. Bud,
for the time at least, was concerned only with that which his eyes
beheld, and the memories of other days far, far back when he had
possessed no greater responsibility than the quest of adventure, and
his own safe delivery from the fruits of his unwisdom.

It was he who first broke the silence between them.

"Gee!" he exclaimed, with that curious note of appreciation which that
ejaculation can assume. "It's big. Say, Jeff, it's big an' good to
look on. Sort of makes you think, too, don't it? Jest get a peek that
way. Them slopes." He indicated the western boundary of the valley
rising up, up to great pine-crested heights. "A thousand--tw