But the
way was now even darker than before and also rougher, and it was with
difficulty that the wagon moved along.

"I don't believe he went very far on this road," said Matt, bringing
the horse to a halt. "I am going to follow that track on foot."

He sprang down from the seat, and with the light close to the ground,
moved along in front of the horse. It was well that he did so, for
hardly had he advanced a hundred feet than he uttered a cry and came
to a halt.

"What's up now?" questioned Andy, peering forward through the gloom.

"He turned off here and went into the brush on the left. Don't you see
the tracks?"

"But there is no road through the brush. He would lose his way and get
caught among the rocks further back."

"I have an idea that he drove away in here to hide the wagon,"
suddenly cried Matt. "He could very well do that, you know, and then
ride off on horseback to some place and put up for the night."

"By the boots, I believe you are right!" returned Andy. "Why, of
course that is just what he has done! How stupid of us not to think of
that before."

"I hope the wagon is still O. K.," went on Matt. "It would be hard
work to get a spring fixed in this out-of-the-way place."

"Well, we must find the wagon first. Supposing we tie up and go ahead
on foot."

"I'm willing."

They were soon side by side, making their way through the brush and
around the rocks as rapidly as they could.

"Let us go forward as silently as possible!" suddenly whispered the
boy. "Barberry may still be around, and if that is so we want to
surprise him."

"That's a good idea! What a pity we can't put out the light."

"We can't do without it. The track is growing fainter. We are coming
to almost solid rock."

On and on they pushed, until Andy calculated that they had covered a
distance of five hundred feet from the main road. Then they found
themselves on the verge of a deep ravine, with a high wall of rock to
the left of them.

"Phew! supposing he drove over that!" shuddered Andy, as he pointed
into the blackness of the hollow. "That must be a hundred feet or more
deep."

"He went to the right, Andy--the only way he could go. Have you any
matches with you?"

"Yes. What do you want of them?"

"I am going to put out the light, for I fancy the wagon is not far
off, and the thief may be around also. If we wish we can light up
again later on."

Matt did as he had intimated, and the two found themselves in a
dar