white as she heard the story, but she still had control of
her voice, so she whispered: "Why don't we-all start down-trail
to-night? Why lose time cooking supper, and have the men up there
watching for the trouble?"

"Mike says we are safer in this cave than on the trail. It is impossible
to go down the Indian trail at night, and Top Notch Trail is bad enough
in the daytime, so that in the dark it is forbidding. He says this cave
is high enough up on the ledge and near enough to the crest to escape
most of the drift. The trash will be swept clear over the entrance and
down into the ravine, while any snow or ice that might lodge up on the
ledge before the cave will soon melt again. Then we can get away, when
all is over."

Polly said nothing, but she was thinking seriously. Mrs. Brewster was
grateful that her daughter could bear such awesome news without a
tremor. So the two completed the supper, and were ready to serve it,
when Sam Brewster rode down the ledge.

"Come on, Daddy! Just in time for a bowl of hot soup!" called Polly,
gayly waving a ladle.

Her mother admired the self-control the girl showed over any fear or
danger, and followed the brave example set her. "Yes, Sam, if Simms
wants to chase a bear in the twilight, let him! You will do far better
to enjoy the supper."

So they sat down to eat toasted bread and soup, while Polly talked
vivaciously and caused many a laugh from the unsuspecting girls. As the
meager supper was almost finished, however, Mr. Brewster mentioned in a
casual tone: "Girls, Ah expect John and his friends early to-morrow, you
know. Mike is going down to meet them."

"Oh, yes! And won't we have exciting adventures to tell him!" exclaimed
Anne, thinking only of John and his coming.

"Mrs. Brewster is going down with Mike, to meet the boys. So we-all
thought you gals would like to ride down, too, instead of sitting up in
front of this cave all day and night," continued Mr. Brewster.

"Why, how foolish! to kill the horses with all that climbing! Up to-day,
down to-morrow, and up again the next day! No horse could stand that!"
declared Anne, amazed at her host's suggestion.

"Well, Ah've been thinking you-all had best stay down, once you get
there. This is no sort of life for women-folk, anyway. When John and Tom
Latimer get here they can look after your mining interests better than
you can yourselves."

"But, Mr. Brewster, you haven't even seen the hole inside of that cave,
wher