oundering. At last Pete let the thirsty creatures take a little
water, and afterward they were tethered to a clump of brush, while the
boys themselves assuaged their pangs. After their first ravenous
thirst was quenched--which was not soon--they took turns in dashing
water over each other's heads, removing the last traces of the
sand-storm. This done, they all declared that they felt like new
men,--or boys,--and a unanimous cry for supper arose.

"Let me see, now," mused Pete, gazing up at the purplish, black heights
of the mesa above them, "as I recollect it, there's only one path up
thar. The good book says, foller the strait and narrer path, but it
don't say nothing about doing it in the dark, so I reckon that the best
thing we can do will be to camp right under that bluff thar, whar the
water comes out, till it gets to be daylight."

This was agreed to be an excellent plan, and, accordingly, the stock
having been tethered out amidst the bunch-grass, the packs were
unloaded, and the work of getting a camp in shape proceeded apace. In
that part of New Mexico, although it is warm enough by day, nightfall
brings with it a sharp chill. It was decided, therefore, to rig up the
tents and sleep under their protection. The three canvas shelters of
the bell type were soon erected, and then, with mesquite roots, Coyote
Pete kindled a fire and put the kettle on. Supper consisted of corned
beef, canned corn and canned tomatoes, with coffee, hard biscuit and
cheese.

"I'll bet we're the first folks that have eaten a meal here for many a
long day," said Jack, looking about him, after his hunger had been
satisfied.

"It is, in all probability, fifteen hundred years or more since the
first inhabitants of this mesa dwelt here," announced the professor.

"My! My! You could boil an egg in that time," commented Pete, drawing
out his old black briar and lighting it. He lay on one elbow and began
to smoke contemplatively.

The others did not speak for a few moments, so engrossed were they with
the ideas that the professor had summoned up. Once, perhaps, this
dead, black, empty mesa above them had held busy, bustling life. Now
it stood silently brooding amid the desolation stretched about it, as
solitary as the Sphinx itself.

The spot at which they were camped was the sheer, or cliff side of the
mesa. At the other side they knew, from Coyote Pete's description,
were numerous openings and a zig-zag pathway leading up