ater date,
for here the old dwellers' domestic implements were plentiful in the
cell-like homes cut in the terraces of cliff or canon. Great earthen
handmade pots that had evidently held some kind of grain, flint-heads
for arrows, and those of larger size which might have been used for
spears.

And so the journeying went on, with times when Indians surprised the
party and were driven off, while others again that were found by a
rushing river proved friendly and willing to show the strange white
people how it was possible to get mule-loads of a kind of salmon in a
day from the rushing waters for present eating, and for splitting open
and drying in the sun.

Then bison again--another salmon-river--a narrow escape from a horrible
death by thirst once more--encounters with rattlesnakes--the discovery
in a great open plain of the cause of a distant roaring sound like
water, just at a time when it was once more wanted most. And there it
was where they could look down, Tantalus-like, from the brink of a vast
crack in the level plain and see a vast river foaming along half-a-mile
below them, never to be reached.

And then a year had passed, and the second began, as full of adventure
and excitement as ever. But by this time, while still pursuing the
phantom gold, they had learned by experience the value of keeping near
salmon-river and verdant rolling plain where bison were still plentiful,
and the adventurers' larder was always well supplied.

They led the life of the Indians of the plain, save that the finding of
the golden city and temple was always kept in mind.

Twice over Griggs declared that though they had not found it they had
discovered the high-road which led directly there. It was a watery way
between perpendicular cliffs, and the place had been hailed for its
promise of salmon, which they shot and speared as they glided in shoals
over the yellow sands.

It was after scooping a wounded fish from the swift waters that Chris
afterwards took the tin hanging from his belt and stood knee-deep to
fill the vessel with the clear cold water fresh from the mountains.

"Hand me a tinful," cried Ned, who stood aloof so as not to wet his
buffalo-skin boots.

It was boy-like. Chris filled the tin, and giving Griggs a merry look,
scooped it half full of sand as well.

"I say, it feels precious heavy," cried Ned, as he raised it to his
lips. "Yah!" he shouted, and he was about to toss the contents back
over the giv