"See that ridge?" asked Tom Dillon, just before they were ready to start
again, and he pointed to an elevation to the northwest. And as all three
lads said they did, he continued: "Well, just back o' that is the
deestrict where that big landslide took place and buried the Landslide
Mine out o' sight."

"Why, that doesn't look to be very far away!" cried Roger.

"No, it don't look so, lad. But you must remember that the air up here
is very clear an' you can see for a long distance. You'll find it a
long, hard ride afore you reach that ridge, let alone the place behind
it where the mine was."

"Are there any settlements on the way?" asked Phil.

"None that we will visit. Shaleyville is in that direction, and Tim
Dixon's over yonder, with Big Tree back o' it. But we will give them all
the go-by an' stick to this trail," concluded Tom Dillon.

All through the long afternoon they rode forward, up and up, the horses
panting for breath as the ascent grew more steep. Many times they had to
stop to rest. As they mounted higher, the panorama of hills and
mountains grew larger.

"What a beautiful spot!" cried Dave, when they were resting. "What a
grand painting this would make!"

"You'll find a painting of it--at the capitol building," replied Tom
Dillon. "A celebrated painter painted it and sold it to our State
government."

Forward they went again. Phil was now in the rear, looking after the
horse that was carrying their camping outfit. Just as those in front had
turned a dangerous corner of the rocky trail they heard a sharp cry from
the shipowner's son.

"Help! Quick, somebody help me! Stop that horse from falling over the
cliff!"

[Illustration: "QUICK, SOMEBODY HELP ME! STOP THAT HORSE FROM FALLING
OVER THE CLIFF!"]

CHAPTER XVIII

THE STOLEN HORSES

"Oh, look!"

"That horse is going over the cliff!"

"Take care, Phil, or he'll drag you with him!"

Such were some of the cries which arose as the others looked back on the
rocky trail and saw the situation.

The horse with the outfit had struck against a projecting rock and been
thrown sideways, to where the trail crumbled away in some loose stones
close to the edge of the dangerous cliff. The animal and the outfit were
in danger of going down to the depths below. Phil, on his own horse, had
caught hold of the other horse's halter and was trying to haul him to a
safer footing. But the youth and his steed were losing ground instead of
gaining it