The appearance of the ground showed that the spot was a favorite
camping-site of the Indians. Fred, for a time, suspected that it was the
place where Lone Wolf and his band had spent the first night out from New
Boston; but an examination showed that it did not correspond in many
points. The remains of charred wood, of bleaching bones and ashes proved
that many a camp-fire had been kindled. And, in all probability, every one
of them had warmed the shins and toasted the food of the red cut-throats
of that section.

The two mustangs were tethered near one side of the space where there was
grass and water, and the lad set about it to select a proper place in
which to build their camp-fire. There was no trouble in determining this;
but, when he started to gather wood, he was surprised to discover that
there was much less than he supposed. The former tenants of the place had
cleared it up pretty thoroughly.

"There is plenty of wood over yonder," he said to himself, looking in the
direction taken by Mickey O'Rooney; "and where there is so much growing
there must be some upon the ground. I'll go over and gather some, and have
the fire all ready when he comes back."

It was quite a walk from where he stood to the side of the semicircular
widening of the pass, and as he went over it he was surprised to find it
greater than it appeared. When he picked his way between the rocks, and
began clambering among the trees and vegetation, he concluded that he was
fully two hundred yards from where the mustangs were grazing.

However, he did not allow himself to lose any time in speculation and
wonderment, but set to work at once to gather wood with which to kindle a
fire in readiness for the return of Mickey. There was enough around him to