nt river. We were at our usual positions as our boat took to the
current.

Juarez was our guest, and we would not let him row, not the first day,
but we promised that he would have all that he wanted later.

So he paced up and down the deck of the liner, watching Jim at the sweep
and Tom and me at the oars. The stream was very mild in this canyon and
nothing like the foaming fury that we had been accustomed to.

Juarez watched everything with a keen and intelligent eye--saw how we
steered and avoided the rocks. His searching instinct was at work.

"Do you think that you can steer the craft down this trail, Juarez?"
inquired Jim.

"Yes, I can do so, certainly most. I soon get on to its curves."

This was to prove true, for his strength and skill were exactly what we
needed in the boat.

"Here's the last bend," I cried.

We followed the graceful, sweeping water around it and made an easy
landing on the west bank.

"Suppose we leave Tom to look after the boat," I said, "while we chase
after the golden chest."

Even Juarez had to laugh at the comical look of dismay that came over
Tom's face. He saw that I was joking, and a sheepish smile came over his
face.

"What shall we take with us?" I asked.

"Something to eat," replied Jim.

"Of course," I said, "but how about the rifles?"

"Leave them," said Jim, "except one. We must travel light and be
prepared for stiff climbing."

"Better take the heavy hammer and an adze," said Tom.

This showed that Tom had been doing some valuable thinking and he
could, too, if he was really interested in anything.

"You're right, Tom," said Jim. "That's what we will need and we had
better take a couple of big spikes."

"What for?" I asked.

"To drill with," Jim said, "if we find a place that looks likely we will
have to investigate, that's the only way to find it. You don't suppose
that it will be out in the open."

"Then if we are going into the mining business, better take some
blasting powder."

"Good," replied Jim.

"Then a rope and pick may be of great benefit," said Juarez.

"Sure, Mike," replied Jim with a grin.

So each one of us contributed to the material we took along. We divided
up the tools between ourselves and had them fastened on so that our
climbing would not be impeded.

"Do you think it safe to leave the boat; we may be gone a day or two?" I
asked.

"Certainly," replied Jim. "It won't need anything to eat in our absence,
and it has plenty