direction," the guide reported gruffly.

"And where are our tents and the other stuff?" Harry demanded.
"Gage's crew couldn't get far with them in the time they've had.
Shall we hustle after our property?"

"Yes," nodded Tom.

"At the momentary risk of being shot to pieces," added Mr. Dunlop,
dryly.

"Those little chances go with being involved in a Nevada mining
dispute, don't they?" queried Reade.

"Where can we begin to look?" Harry pressed. "Let's scurry about
a bit. Surely men can't get away with tents without leaving some
trail."

Within two minutes they had the trail. Marks were discovered
that plainly had been made by dragging canvas and guy-ropes along
over the ground.

"We'll find our stuff soon," predicted Tom, striding along over
a rough trail. "The scoundrels didn't have a team, and they wouldn't
take the stuff far without other transportation than their own backs.
Hello! What's in there?"

Tom had detected some motions in a clump of brush.

"Look out!" warned Jim Ferrers, bringing his rifle to "ready."