Ross Kay

“ He's a big fellow. He must be eight feet long," answered the guide.
"Aren't you afraid of them?" inquired George, shuddering again as he spoke.
"Afraid? No. Why should I be afraid? They give you warning before they strike and that's what the rattles are for."
"I wonder if that is what they are for," said Grant thoughtfully. "I don't see why nature should have provided a snake with a means of scaring off the animals he wants to get for his breakfast."
"That's what it is," said Zeke. "It can't be for nothin' else." ”

“ Twenty minutes later John, Pete and Kitoni gained the place where their friends were awaiting their coming.
"You never had any one so glad to see you in all your life," shouted Fred as he ran to John and tried to throw his arm around his neck. As Fred was the "pigmy" of the party his efforts were ridiculous, but they nevertheless served to remove a part of the tension under which all were laboring. ”

“ The unexpected discovery of two men in the gulch was of itself startling. Seldom had the foot of man trod these weary wastes. There was an air of complete desolation that rested over the entire region. The discovery therefore of two men coming along the side of the canyon and following the way over which Zeke had gone was doubly surprising. ”

“ For some reason the guide manifested greater confidence in the judgment of Grant than in the opinions of the other boys.
"It seems to me," said Grant slowly, "that I should be on the lookout for all of them. I'm inclined to think, however, that if you find it, it's likely to be something in the shape of the ground that makes one think of a man's thumb."
"Don't none of you boys stir from this tree," ordered Zeke abruptly. "Jeff and I will go ahead and—"
"For a time you'll be the Go Ahead Boys," laughed Fred. ”

“ Without halting, the guide said, "The Navajos will be coming soon."
"What do you mean?" demanded John excitedly.
"Just what I say," said Zeke.
"Do you mean the whole Navajo tribe or just the two that we've seen?"
"You certainly be the most innocent chap I've ever seen," remarked Zeke irritably, as for a moment he halted and looked sternly at the two boys. "Of course I mean Thomas Jefferson and Kitoni."
"What are they coming up for?" demanded Fred.
"Children should be seen and not heard," retorted Zeke. ”

“ No one was aware whether he had departed to rejoin his friend or had merely sought another resting place.
"They always show up about breakfast time," growled Zeke under his breath. Nevertheless the guide at once prepared some food for the Indian who now had rejoined the party.
"Did you see anything of our friends?" inquired Grant eagerly.
"I saw nothing," replied the Navajo. "I do not expect all people here to be safe."
"Why not?" demanded George.
"I have explained already," replied the Indian. "This is no place for white men. ”

“ Peering over the border was a face which he soon discovered was that of Thomas Jefferson, the young Navajo Indian who with his companion had previously come to their camp. Plainly the young Indian had heard the cry and was striving to discover the source from which it had come.
Once more George shouted, this time almost hoarse from his efforts. An answering call, however, revealed the fact that the Navajo had discovered him. Indeed it was possible now for him to hear the words of the Indian.
"Stay right where you are," called Thomas Jefferson. "Don't try to do anything for yourself." ”

“ The very fact that there were difficulties to be solved was what made the work of a man worth while. The difference between a man and a lump of earth was that one was living and was able to use his will and brain, while the other was a clod always to remain a diminishing bit of the surface of the earth.
"I'll be a man!" declared Fred resolutely. As he spoke he sprang to his feet and drew his belt more closely about him. He recalled stories of Zeke in which that worthy guide had explained that the feeling of hunger was greatly assuaged by drawing one's belt more tightly. ”

“ The overhanging ledge protected them from the heat of the sun, and if they should be compelled to spend the night there they would be safer from the attacks of any prowling beasts than would likely be the case in a more open or exposed spot on the way they had followed.
"George," said Fred when the light had faded and the silence that rested over the great cliff was tense, "do you really think there's anything in what the Navajo said?" ”

“ The Go Ahead Boys laughed but their interest was too keen in the men who now in the distance could be seen more distinctly.
"You don't suppose those two strange white men can be coming back here, do you?" inquired Grant in a whisper.
"Yes, that is just who they are," replied Kitoni. "Look yonder!" he added as he pointed in the direction in which Zeke and the Navajo had departed.
Two other men also were seen coming from that direction and no effort was required to induce the Go Ahead Boys to believe that Zeke and his companion were returning to the camp. ”

“ As yet no one was able to see the place from which the cry had come.
"Do you think anyone is in trouble?" inquired Grant anxiously of the guide.
"No," replied Zeke.
"Do you think any one is in trouble?" inquired
"That's more than I can tell."
"Why don't you call Pete?"
"No use. Thomas Jefferson has answered the call and there isn't anything more to be done except to wait until they get here, then we'll see whether any one is missin' or not."
"Come on, fellows, let's go down and see!" shouted Fred to his companions, who at once prepared to obey the suggestion. ”

“ In spite of his utmost endeavors his foothold soon became more insecure and suddenly as the ground beneath him gave way George was thrown forward on his face.
The heavy pack on his shoulders prevented him from rising or recovering the ground he had lost. Rolling, slipping, sliding, the terrified boy continued on his way down the side of the cliff. ”

“ Zeke says he knows where Thorn's Gulch is—"
"Huh!" interrupted Pete. "I guess ev'rybody in this part o' th' country knows where Thorn's Gulch is."
"But," continued Fred, winking at John as he spoke, "he doesn't know where Two Crow Tree is nor just where Tom's Thumb is located. Of course you know, so we came back to the camp."
"If I don't know I can find 'em, I guess," assented Pete sturdily.
"That's just what Zeke said," laughed Fred. "What we're looking for isn't somebody who can find them, but somebody who knows where they are." ”

“ The camp was located in a most attractive spot, high above the roaring river. It was on the sloping side of the towering border. A natural pathway lead to the plateau above, while a spring of clear water was conveniently near for their needs.
In spite of the July day the air was cool and the smoke of their camp-fire was carried swiftly down the canyon. The sublime sight of the Grand Canyon was before them, although from their camp they were unable to see the largest of all the great gulches. ”

“ For a moment the young Indian stared blankly at the inquirer and then without replying to the question, once more turned to his companion and after a brief conversation he again faced the boys and said, "We thank you for the breakfast you have given us. We must go now."
"Shall I tell those men if they come back," spoke up Zeke, "that Thomas Jefferson and another Navajo have been here to see them?" ”

“ The only thing for us to do is to stay right here where we are until he comes back or John and Pete are brought here by Kitoni."
"I'm afraid something has happened to String," said Fred slowly.
"So you have said before," remarked Grant dryly. "Now the thing for you and for us all to do is just to hang on to ourselves and wait. We mustn't let this get on our nerves. If we do no one knows what we shall be up against."
Grant's companions did their utmost to carry out his suggestion, but there was little activity in which they could indulge and the time dragged heavily on their hands. ”

“ If we find it then we may be pretty sure that we're on the right track."
"How will you know?" inquired John.
"Have to use our common sense," said the guide sharply.
"Did you ever see Tom's Thumb?"
"If I did I didn't know it by that name," said Zeke. "What do you boys think we had better look for?"
"I say a rock shaped like a man's thumb," said Fred.
"I don't," spoke up John. "What I would look for would be a place in the mountains ahead."
"I suggest a formation in the rim of the Gulch," said George.
"What do you say?" demanded Zeke as he turned to Grant. ”

“ It was now past mid-afternoon and the Go Ahead Boys were becoming impatient over the failure of the guide and the Indian to return.
"If they haven't found any thing," said Fred irritably, "then they ought to come back and tell us so. We don't want to stay here forever."
"Nay, verily, we do not," said George, shaking his head soberly. "I agree with Pyg. If Zeke doesn't come back within an hour I say we start after him."
"You want your turn in being lost in the canyon, do you?" said John grimly. ”

“ Meanwhile the other party which had started for Thorn's Gulch was also having its own experiences no less thrilling than the mishap which had befallen John. Zeke was the leader of the trio while George had taken Pete's place as rear guard.
Steadily climbing the way which previously they had used as a path, stopping frequently for rest, for their breathing was somewhat more difficult in the high altitude than on the lower levels, they at last succeeded in gaining the crest of the canyon. ”

“ He's the one that digs the hole, then along comes the snake and makes his home in it, and then the owl creeps in and there you have it."
"I should think they would eat one another," laughed George.
"Maybe they do for all I know," said Zeke. "Now if you've had enough to satisfy you with this rattler we'll start ahead again."
"But I don't see," persisted Grant, "why he didn't bite you."
"Huh!" snapped Zeke. "He didn't get a chance to coil himself. They are just like a hair-spring. They have to get a little purchase before they can do anything, then they do a good deal too, if they try real hard. ”

“ As yet it was manifest that neither party of approaching men had become aware of the coming of the others.
"There they go!" exclaimed George excitedly when Zeke and his companion disappeared from sight. "Maybe they won't be back here until after the other fellows have left."
"Don't you worry," spoke up Fred. "The other fellows aren't going to leave and that's the worst of it. What shall we do?"
"We shan't do anything until we have to," said Grant. "It will be money in our pockets to keep silent in seven languages." ”

“ There's only one of your kind in all the world."
"You're right for once in your life," retorted John. "Now tell me," he added, "what your plans are. What is the next thing to be done?"
"Now that little Johnnie has arrived," laughed Grant, "I think the best thing we can do, if Zeke and Pete agree, is to stay here to-night and start on early to-morrow morning."
"Start where?" demanded John.
"Why for Simon Moultrie's claim." ”

“ Early the following morning, while the boys were preparing breakfast, they were startled by the approach of two men.
"Look yonder!" exclaimed Fred, who naturally was the first to discover the approach of the strangers. "Are those the two men that were in the camp the other day?"
"No," replied Zeke quickly after he had gazed long and earnestly at the men who could be seen coming down the pathway from the top of the cliff. "They're Indians."
"Is that so?" demanded George who was instantly excited. "What are they?" ”

“ Securing a piece of string Grant carefully measured according to the rule suggested by the diminutive Go Ahead Boy and soon he held up his string saying, as he did so, "If Fred is right that is exactly a yard."
"Let me see it," said Zeke, taking the string. Making his own measurements he soon declared that Grant was almost correct in his statement. "We can't get within a half-inch of it anyway," he said.
"A half-inch on a yard would mean four hundred and forty-four inches for a half-mile," said Grant. "Now four hundred and forty inches is thirty-six and three-quarter feet. ”

“ It belongs to the Indians, and the spirits of those who live here do not love to have white men come. I have never heard of one who tried to enter who did not have bad luck before long."
"Yes," laughed Fred, "but I have known people to have bad luck who never heard of Thorn's Gulch."
"They may have bad luck without coming here," said Thomas Jefferson, "but they are sure to have it if they do come."
"Why don't you go and help find your friend?" spoke up Zeke, addressing the Navajo as he spoke.
"Kitoni will come."
"Do you think he will find John and Pete?" inquired Fred eagerly. ”

“ That's the last I've seen of either Pete or Jack and besides I haven't had a mouthful to eat since yesterday noon."
"You haven't?" exclaimed George. "I'm afraid we can't do anything for you until we find Grant and Zeke. They have most of the supplies. Let me get into my pack and see what I've got."
George's pack which Thomas Jefferson had insisted upon taking when he rescued the Go Ahead Boy was now opened but there was no food in it.
"There's nothing else to be done," said George, shaking his head.
"Yes, there is something to be done," said Fred tartly. "We've got to do something. ”

“ I would a good deal rather see John and Pete come marching into the camp."
"So would I," acknowledged Grant, "but they'll come when they're found and not before. These fellows are here now and Zeke says it's the law of the desert that a man who drops into your camp at nightfall is entitled to share everything you have,—supplies, tents, beds and everything." ”

“ Zeke and Thomas Jefferson led the way while Pete and the other Navajo formed a rear guard. The packs had been rearranged so that now the burdens were lighter for every one. Indeed, the loss of the pack which their white visitor had taken had made the guides somewhat anxious concerning the outlook for supplies. A journey of one hundred miles at least would be required to obtain fresh provisions and at least a week would be necessary if one of the guides should be sent to obtain them. There might be difficulty too in bringing in the supplies even if they should be obtained. ”