d out below us under the brilliant
stars.

We were astir early the next morning and before the sun was up we were
all ready to start out on the second division of our journey. Our
ponies were saddled and the pack horses ready. The only thing that
saddened us, was the fact that we had to part with our friend and
comrade, the captain.

But in the light of a new day and refreshed by a good night's rest it
did not seem such a gloomy prospect as on the evening before. We had
found that in the hazardous life we had lived so long that when we
turned in at night that it was the best way to forget, banish from our
minds all worry about the next day. No matter what desperate matters
faced us on the morrow.

We discovered that things never seemed so bad on the next day when we
were on our feet to meet them as when we lay on our backs thinking them
over.

We were now ready to say good-bye and no ado was made about it either by
the captain or ourselves. What was the use? We all instinctively
disliked any display of emotion.

"How long will it take you, captain?" asked Jim, "to get back to the
plateau?"

"I shall make quick time and use the cutoffs," answered the captain. "It
won't be much over a week before I am sitting in the armchair, with my
feet on the table reading a book, or looking down the canyon from my
open door."

"And we will be gliding down the placid Colorado about that time,"
laughed Jim, "with Tom and Jo serenading the Indian maidens on the banks
as we go drifting by."

"It's a beautiful picture," the captain smiled gravely, "but in reality
I see you bailing out your boat and dodging rocks and Indian missiles."

"That's about it," I assented. "By the way, you won't forget to mail our
letters home, at the settlement, captain."

"Not I," replied the captain. "It will be good news for them to hear
that you have arrived so far in safety."

"We never make much of our little adventures," remarked Jim, "when we
write home. We want to keep them feeling cheerful."

"That's right," returned the captain. "Now it is time for you to start,
the sun will soon be up. Good-bye and the best of luck to you."

He shook hands with each of us and there was the strength of friendship
in his grip.

"Good bye," we called.

And the captain swung his horse around and headed up the canyon.

"Don't be surprised if we drop in on you in a year or two," cried Jim,
after him.

"The sooner the better," shouted the captain, and