"But," Ned had replied, "how are we to communicate with you in case
we require more definite instructions?"

"You know what Sherman did when he left Atlanta?" laughed the chief.

"Why, he cut the wires," returned Ned, "so as not to have his
movements hampered by orders from men who, not being on the
ground, could not possibly know as much as he did of what ought
to be done."

"That is what I want you to do!" the chief continued. "Cut the
wires."

"But that is assuming a great responsibility," urged the boy.

"Very true, but I have an idea that you want to work in your own way,
so go to it. A mess of lively boys running up and down the mountain
sides looking for game and snap-shots ought not to arouse the
suspicion of the thieves if they are there. Make friends with the
mountain people if you can. They are naturally suspicious, but good
as gold at heart."

That was his last talk with the chief. After that supplies had been
bought and transported by rail to the nearest point, and there the
mules had been bought and the difficult journey begun. They had just
made their first permanent camp.

"I wouldn't mind living here a few years!" Teddy said. "It beats the
hot old city! If I had plenty of reading matter and a full larder, I