rsuade her mother that it was the only thing to
do for her, too.

Sary came in at this point to say that supper had been waiting so long,
that it was all sizzled up in the pan.

"My goodness! I forgot we hadn't had supper!" laughed Eleanor, jumping
up and catching Polly by the arm to whirl her away.

Once out of hearing, she whispered quickly: "Don't say a word to any one
about this New York plan of mine--if I go, you go, too; for we are a
second 'Ruth and Naomi' you know!"

Polly smiled, but she knew her friend's suggestion for her going, too,
would have no backing from any one at _her_ home.

Saturday dawned and every one at Pebbly Pit was on the lookout for the
adventurers, as they surely would not remain on the mountain over
another Sunday! But it was late in the afternoon when the clip-clop of
horses' hoofs rang out over the crater of the ranch. Then the riders
were seen passing the Cliffs, and soon they were at the door.

Such a babble of voices and questions asked, would have deafened any one
not concerned in the meeting. But every one, even Sary, had a heart
interest in the returned scouts, and no one took the trouble to bottle
up their rejoicing.

Several farm-hands were present, so the horses were sent off to the barn
and Jeb was allowed a rest period. Of course, the men were hungry, and
every one turned to the well-laden table.

While eating an early supper, John and Tom were called upon to give
expert opinions about "Choko's Find" Mine.

"As you must know, Tom and I did the job up well while we were up there.
That is why we remained so long. We've got the plan worked out and we
also took photographs of the entire surroundings so that investors can
see exactly what the difficulties will be," explained John.

"Oh, then we haven't lost it!" cried Polly and Eleanor together.

"You couldn't lose it unless Old Grizzly split the whole side of the
mountain open and washed the gold down into the bottom. But the
land-slide makes the mining more difficult in the beginning; once
things are going, it will make no difference, excepting that there is
always the danger of fresh avalanches wreaking the same havoc this one
has done," said Tom Latimer.

"Well, I always had a theory that I believe will prove to divert a great
deal of slide that does the damage, in a case like this one. And since
looking around up on Top Notch, I'm sure my idea will work," ventured
John.

"All I can say to that is, if you have su