call ourselves friends," he added, and put out his
hand to Link.

"Then we are--ahem!--not going back to town?" queried Job Haskers, in
disappointed tones.

"No, we'll watch those other fellers an' try to locate the lost mine,"
answered Sol Blugg; and this was finally agreed to, after a discussion
lasting another half-hour. Job Haskers was plainly disappointed, and his
face showed it, and Link Merwell had much difficulty in cheering up the
former teacher.

"We came out to locate that gold mine and we'll do it," said Merwell.
"And I want you to be on hand, when the time comes, to attend to the
legal end of it, so that we get our share. Of course, as I am wanted by
the police, I can't appear, but you can, and you can, secretly,
represent me."

"All provided the lost mine is found," responded Job Haskers. He had
plainly lost heart in the undertaking.

"Oh, we are bound to locate it--sooner or later," said Link Merwell,
enthusiastically.

While this plotting was going on, Roger and those with him were picking
their way with care over the loose stones that covered the ridge of
rocks where the great landslide had taken place. Here traveling was
exceedingly dangerous and often they had to proceed on foot, for fear of
going down into some hollow. None of the footing seemed to be safe, and
more than once Tom Dillon shook his head doubtfully.

"This land ain't got settled yet," he said to Abe Blower. "I shouldn't
be surprised if there was another landslide before long."

"Mebbe you're right, Tom," was Blower's reply. "But if it's to come, I
hope it comes arter we're away."

"I was thinkin' that maybe we had better go over to the second ridge. It
might be safer."

"I was thinkin' that myself."

"Then we'll git over as soon as we hit a good crossin-over place,"
replied Tom Dillon.

As they were now close to the spot where the Landslide Mine was supposed
to have been located, Roger became very eager to do some real searching
for the mine. And Dave and Phil were equally anxious to aid their chum.

Coming to something of a plateau of rocks, the party spread out,
searching for certain landmarks which Abe Blower had mentioned. This
search was by no means easy, for some of the loose rocks were very large
in size--one being as big as a house--and it was difficult to find one's
way along among them.

Dave was riding along slowly, letting his horse find the best footing
possible, when he came to a narrow defile. The rock