been heard there of the folks we are looking for, they can then send
word back to us so we don't spend the rest of our lives hunting for
them."

His plan seemed a logical one to Tad. The party was to spread out,
covering a large area, literally dragging the mountains with a human
net, it being agreed that when one made a discovery he was to inform
the others by shooting twice into the air.

After having received their instructions the men quickly rode away.
The moon had come out, lighting the way and making their journey much
easier.

Stacy gave no further heed to the miner who had been left in charge of
him, and promptly went to sleep on a full stomach. He had not
experienced that agreeable sensation for some time.

The night was well advanced when two sharp reports from the south told
the searchers that some of their party had gained tidings of the
absent ones.

Each man wheeled sharply about and raced for the camp as rapidly as
the rough trail would permit, arriving there about the time their
leader rode in with Walter Perkins. He had found the lad less than
half a mile from camp. Beyond being very badly frightened, Walter
seemed none the worse for his experience. Instead of having followed
the direction in which he had started, Walter had gradually worn
around to the north until finally he was headed back toward their
original starting point.