t
his companions laughed.

"And you think," inquired Grant, "that we're likely to have trouble with
these two men the same way?"

"No, I didn't say 'the same way,'" replied Zeke. "I'm just tellin' you
what's going on 'round here so that you'll be a bit prepared for it when
the proper time comes."

"Do you really think we'll have any trouble with those two men?" inquired
George anxiously.

"I've given you my opinion," replied Zeke. "You won't have no trouble if
you don't find no claim, and if there ain't no claim then you won't have
no trouble. So it's just as broad as it is long, you see, and I'm hopeful
we'll get out again with our lives."

"Yes, I hope so too," said George so solemnly that his friends laughed
aloud.

Zeke's stories were as numerous as they were quaint after he had once
begun to relate them. To beguile the slowly moving hours the boys insisted
upon his recounting many of his adventures, some of which were exceedingly
thrilling, so thrilling indeed that none of the boys accepted them as
true.

But all things at last come to an end and the waiting of the Go Ahead Boys
was drawn to a close late one afternoon when Pete and John entered the
valley. They were heavily laden with packs and explained that up on the
cliff other possessions which they had secured had been left with the
Indian boy who had come with them and was to take back the burros after
they had been relieved of their burdens.

Speedily all the Go Ahead Boys were engaged in the task of bringing in the
supplies. Twice the difficult climb had to be made and even the return to
the camp, although the trail led down the steep incline at times, was even
more difficult than the ascent had been.

The same night after all the supplies had been brought to the camp and the
boys had begun to make up their packs, for they planned to start on their
expedition early the following morning, they were startled by the return
of the two Navajos who had visited the camp soon after the departure of
Pete and John. It was quickly manifest that both Indians in spite of their
quiet manner were keenly excited and when they had related a discovery
they had made that very day, the excitement of the Go Ahead Boys was only
less than their own.

CHAPTER IX

DOWN THE RUSHING RIVER

"We saw where the two white men camped last night," explained Thomas
Jefferson. "They are working' their way into Thorn's Gulch."

"And do you think they are looking for S