foothills until the time it spent itself in the distance was barely four
minutes, yet, what an effect did it leave behind!

On all sides of them many trees were literally torn up by the roots,
brush was leveled as if cut by a mowing machine, and dirt and pebbles
which had been perhaps carried for miles were deposited here, there, and
everywhere. Ranch boys though they were, and accustomed to many things
strange and wonderful, Chet and Paul could only gaze at the work of
destruction in awe, and silently thank heaven that their lives had been
spared.

They had escaped with slight injury. Several sharp sticks and stones had
scratched Chet's neck as he lay prostrate, and Paul's arm was greatly
lamed by a blow from the branch of a tree which fell directly across
the opening, pinning the horse down in such a fashion that he could not
rise.

"We must liberate Rush first of all," cried Chet. "Poor fellow! Whoa,
Rush, we'll soon help you," he added, and patted the animal on the neck
to soothe him.

Evidently Rush understood, for he lay quiet. Then Chet and Paul, using
all of their strength, raised up one end of the tree, which,
fortunately, was not large. As soon as he felt himself free, Rush
scrambled up out of harm's way, and they let the tree fall back again.

"That is the kind of an adventure I never want to experience again,"
said Paul when he had somewhat recovered his breath. "My, how the wind
did tear things!"

"It was a full-fledged cyclone and no mistake," returned his brother.
"Had that struck a town it would have razed every building in it."

"That's true, and oh!" went on Paul suddenly, "I wonder if it has
destroyed the marks Allen left whereby the mine is to be found?"

Chet stared at him speechless.

"Perhaps!" he gasped at last. "Come, let us go on and see!"

There was considerable difficulty in getting out of the hollow into
which they had so unceremoniously thrust themselves. Rush was somewhat
frightened still, and instead of riding him, they led him out by a
circuitous way which took them nearly a hundred yards out of their path.

They found the trail almost impassable in spots, and more than once were
compelled to make a wide detour in order to avoid fallen trees and
gathered brush.

"A cyclone like that can do more damage than can be repaired in ten
years," observed Chet as they labored along on foot. "I wonder where it
started from?"

"Somewhere out on the flat lands near the river, I recko