r side," cried Jim. "It's no
use following them on the trail. They have got the start on us and
when they see us coming it will make them hike all the faster."

"You're right," said Juarez.

"There is no use for all this bunch going," said Jim. "Jo, you and
Tom and Jeems stay here. Keep my guns, I'm traveling light." He
handed over his rifle and revolver to his brother and Juarez gave
his to Jeems. Then they gave the cinches to their saddles an extra
tightening, especially the back cinches, then they swung swiftly into
the saddles.

"Durn those mules," they cried and were off. Keeping their horses well
in hand, for it promised to be a long hard race, they galloped along
the ridge, keeping slightly below the summit. They were now on the
opposite side of the ridge from where the trail was up which they had
traveled. As the two headers-off got under way the gravel flew back
from their horses' feet. At first the way was not very hard, but at
the end of the first mile they came to a great field of broken rocks.

Here they had to slacken speed and find their way among great rocks,
broken, and with many miniature canyons and ravines among them. Once
they rode under the shadow of a great slab of quartz, some eighty feet
long and twenty feet in thickness; like a long flat bridge it was.

"This is a sure interesting country," remarked Juarez.

"I wish that we had time to look around a bit," replied Jim, "but I am
afraid that those pesky mules are gaining on us right here."

"We are almost out of this nest of rocks," encouraged Juarez.

This was true, but now they had ahead of them a long slope with many
fallen trees, but the boys could not stop for such trifles. Away they
went, leaping the trunks of trees, twisting this way and that, but
never slackening speed. If it was not for their anxiety, it would have
been fun for the two of them, as there was enough danger and variety
to make it interesting. Jim's big gray, which he had captured in
Mexico and had named Caliente, jumped with great power and with
remarkable lightness, considering his size, but Juarez's roan was as
quick as a cat and just as light on its feet.

"See that notch in the ridge," cried Jim, "about half a mile ahead?"

"Yes," replied Juarez.

"There's where we will cross and try to get ahead of those bucks."

"We will make them hustle back," cried Juarez, grinding his teeth.

"Sure," agreed Jim with a grin.

In a short time they had reached the notc