say.
We know so little about them, the skins having been mostly supplied by
the Indians. But these rocks and patches of timber ought to be their
home."

"There's a place, sir, where we might climb up out of this hollow," said
Cross just then, and he pointed to a mere gash in the rocks, down which
a tiny rivulet trickled.

It proved to be passable, and at the end of another quarter of an hour
we were upon fairly level ground, open, and in the full sunshine, ready
to rest, bask, dry our clothes, and sit down to what seemed to me the
most delicious meal I had ever eaten.

In spite of the length of time which we had apparently spent in the
darkness, it was still early in the day, and it was not long, after a
good rest upon a hot rock in the sunny glow, before the two sufferers
from their plunge were able once more to go about in quite dry clothes.

By this time we had made use of pocket compass and glass, taking
bearings, so to speak, and pretty well made out our position to be only
a few miles to the south and west of Puma Valley, while my uncle was in
ecstasies with the promising appearance of the district, for as a
collecting ground we had mountain, forest, plain, valley, and the lovely
river-gorge waiting to be farther explored.

"If the quetzals are to be found, Nat," said my uncle, "we ought to see
them here."

"What about going back, uncle?" I said, interrupting him.

"Back!" he cried. "What, are you tired already?"

"No, I was thinking about the possibility of getting up the tent and
some more stores so as to be able to thoroughly explore these higher
grounds."

"Yes," he said; "that's what we must do. I fancy we can make our way
back without going through that hole again; but it was well worth the
trouble, since it led us to this lovely ravine."

"Pst!" I whispered; "Pete sees something. He is making signs. Look,
he is signing to those trees."

We seized our guns and advanced cautiously in the direction pointed out,
separating so as to cover all the ground, in the full expectation of
seeing some rare bird or another take flight. But we met on the other
side of the cluster of trees indicated, after having passed right
through without a sign.

"Gone on to the next patch, uncle," I whispered; and we went on again,
carrying out the same plans; and a finch or two took flight, but nothing
more.

Again we went on, and tried a third little clump, but with no better
fortune, and we stopped and loo