, rather despondently, and then I started, for Esau hailed
us to come back, and we could see him shouting with his hands to his
mouth, evidently in a great state of excitement.

We waited till the echoes of his voice had died away, and then I shouted
back, and a curious creeping sensation ran through me at the sound of my
voice.

It was impossible to hurry back, for there were too many impediments in
the way, but we made all the haste we could, for there was evidently
something wrong, though what that might be was invisible to us, as we
descended and climbed, and wound our way in and out in places that
Gunson confessed were "ticklish," as he called it, and where he always
paused in his firm, quiet way to offer me his help.

At last we were close to Esau, who was waiting anxiously with the rifle
in his hand, ready to thrust it into Gunson's.

"Indians, eh?" said the latter, as we now saw what had been hidden from
us by the shape of the valley--a group of half a dozen spear-armed
Indians, who drew back a little and stood watching us on seeing the
accession made by our crossing to the group by the fire.

Gunson did not hesitate. He took the rifle, and felt whether his
revolver was ready to his hand before walking straight up to the group,
making signs intended to be friendly. They had their effect, for the
men came forward, one of them holding out a freshly-opened salmon as a
token of good-will.

That was enough for Quong, who ran forward smiling, whilst Gunson tried
the men with such Indian words as he could remember. But it was all in
vain. They gave up the great fish to the Chinaman quietly enough, and
stood staring at us in a stolid way, till our leader took out his
tobacco-pouch and gave each a good pinch. They were friends directly;
and now by signs Gunson tried to make them understand that he wanted to
go through the canon, and that he would give them a present if they
would guide us.

"I can't make them understand, my lad," he said at last.

"But I think they do understand," I said. "Let's shoulder our packs,
and see if they will lead the way."

"Must be going our way," said Esau, "because they overtook us."

"Well, let's try," said Gunson; and in a couple of minutes we were
standing loaded, Gunson pointing up the gorge.

One of the Indians showed his teeth, said a few words to his companions,
and they all faced round, and began to lead the way back.

"No, no," I shouted, and I pointed up the go