."

Both fell silent. The far away roar of the turbulent waters of the
Colorado was borne to their listening ears. There were other sounds,
too, mysterious sounds that came like distant moans, rising and falling,
with here and there one that sounded like a sob.

"The spirit of the Canyon is sad to-night," murmured Dad.

"Why, Dad, that was the wind sighing through the Canyon."

"Yes, I know, but back of it all there is life, there is the very spirit
of life. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel it deep down inside
of me. I think you do, too."

"Yes, Dad, I do."

"I know you do. It's a living thing to me, kid, as it will be to you
after you know their voices better and they come to know you. All
those people," with a sweeping gesture toward the hotel where music and
song were heard, "miss it all. What they see is a great spectacle. To
see the Grand Canyon is to feel it in your heart. Seeing it in any
other way is not seeing it at all."

"And do you live down there alone?"

"Yes. Why not?"

"I should think you would long for human companionship."

"What, with my beloved Canyon to keep me company? No, I am never
lonely," added Jim Nance simply. "I shall live and die there---I hope,
and I'll be buried down there somewhere There are riches down there too.
Gold---much gold-----"

"Why don't you go after it-----"

Dad shook his head.

"It would be like robbing a friend. No, you may take the gold if you
can find it, but Dad, never. See, the moon is up. Look!"

It was a new scene that Tad gazed upon. Vishnu Temple, the most
wonderful piece of architecture in the Canyon, had turned to molten
silver. This with Newberry Terrace, Solomon's Throne, Shinto Temple
and other lesser ones stood out like some wonderful Oriental city.

All at once the quiet of the beautiful scene was disturbed by a bowl
that was plainly the voice of Stacy Brown. Stacy, his big eyes missing
little that had been going on about him, had after a time stolen away
after Tad and the guide. His curiosity had been aroused by their
departure and still more by the time they had been gone. Chunky
determined to go out and investigate for himself.

He had picked his way cautiously toward the Canyon when he halted
suddenly, his eyes growing large at what he saw.

"Yeow! Look!" cried the fat boy.

Both Jim Nance and Tad sprang up. Those in the camp heard the shout and
ran toward the rim, fearing that some harm had befallen