Suddenly Chagres Charley fired, and the boys faced to the right--a
moment later another shot rallied the party; those nearest it found
Nappy Boney in a high state of excitement, and leaning over a
foot-print.

"_Mon Dieu_!" he cried; "they have not the _esprit_, those Mexicans; but
her footprints might have been made by the adorable feet of one of my
countrywomen, it is so small."

"Yes," said Mississip; "an' one of them fellers that started ahead hez
found it fust, fur here's a man's track a-goin' up."

Rapidly the excited miners followed the tracks through the snow, and
found them gradually leading to the regular trail across the mountain,
which trail few men ventured upon at that season. Suddenly the men in
advance stopped.

"Here 'tis, I reckon!" cried Mississip, springing across a small cleft
in the rocks, and running toward a dark object lying on the sheltered
side of a small cliff. "Good God!" he continued, as he stooped down;
"it's Codago! An' he's froze stiff."

"Serve him right, cuss him," growled Lynn Taps. "I almost wish he _had_
a soul, so he could catch it good an' hot, now he's gone!"

"He's got his pack with him," shouted Mississip, "and a huggin' it ez
tight ez ef he could take it to--to wherever he's gone to.".

"No man with a soul could hev ben cool enough to pack up his traps after