awson, with the memory of his recent thrilling
experience still vivid with him.

"We can do it, but we must foller a different plan."

"What is that?"

"We must lead our animals. There are plenty of places where you can
get off your horses with more comfort, but we can't stand here doing
nothing. Get to the ground the best way you know how."

It was clear that the advice of the guide would have to be followed,
and all four set about the task with the cool daring shown from the
first. Since each man was to lead his animal, it was necessary to
dismount in front, instead of slipping over the tail, as would have
been easier. The beasts showed striking sagacity in this delicate
task. The trail was so narrow that to dismount to the left, on the
side of the dizzying precipice, made it impossible for a man to keep
his poise, while to descend on the right, directly beside the body of
the animal was almost certain to crowd him over into the gorge. Each,
therefore, lowered himself with infinite care over the right shoulder
of his steed, so well forward, that the horse by turning his head to
the left afforded just enough room for the trick to be done. Every one
dismounted in safety, each drawing a breath of relief when the
exquisitely delicate task was accomplished.

Looking around in the gloom, Vose Adams saw that his friends stood on
the ground.

"Are you all ready?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Brush from the rear.

"Hold the bridle so gentle that you can let go if your animal slips
off: if he has to go over the precipice, there's no need of your
follering him."

Each man took his Winchester in hand, and loosely grasping the bridle
rein, began stealing forward, the captain's loss compelling him to
make his single arm answer for both purposes. The advance was
necessarily slow, for it was made with the utmost care. The path could
not have been more dangerous than for the brief stretch between them
and the broad, safe support beyond.

Several times the trail so narrowed that each trembled through fear of
not being able to keep his balance, while it seemed absolutely
impossible for a horse to do so; but one of the strange facts
connected with that intelligent animal is that, despite his greater
bulk, he is generally able to follow wherever his master leads. So it
was that when a miner carefully turned his head, he saw his steed
following slowly but unfalteringly in his footsteps.

It was soon perceived that this perilous