The Go Ahead Boys and Simon's Mine Part 33

Suddenly John arose and exclaimed, "There comes Zeke! I wonder what he has to report."

In a moment John's companions had joined him and all four were advancing to meet the guide who was returning from the rim of the Gulch.

CHAPTER XXVI

CONCLUSION

"Where have you been, Zeke?" called John.

"Down, 'n the Gulch," replied the guide gruffly.

"What did you find? Did you see any one?"

"Nothing to speak of," retorted Zeke, who plainly was not disposed to recount the story of his recent adventures.

Without halting, the guide said, "The Navajos will be coming soon."

"What do you mean?" demanded John excitedly.

"Just what I say," said Zeke.

"Do you mean the whole Navajo tribe or just the two that we've seen?"

"You certainly be the most innocent chap I've ever seen," remarked Zeke irritably, as for a moment he halted and looked sternly at the two boys.

"Of course I mean Thomas Jefferson and Kitoni."

"What are they coming up for?" demanded Fred.

"Children should be seen and not heard," retorted Zeke.

John laughed, but the face of his diminutive friend flushed angrily though he did not reply to the statement of the leader.

Plainly Zeke was not inclined to talk. In silence he led the way back to the camp without referring again to his visit or explaining what his future plans were to be.

Neither would he talk after he had arrived, except to remark that it would be time enough to talk when the Navajos came.

Two hours later Thomas Jefferson arrived in camp. The time had been hanging heavily upon the hands of the Go Ahead Boys and the coming of the Indian provided a sharp relief.

"Where's Kitoni?" demanded George as Thomas Jefferson alone entered the camp.

"I cannot say."

"Are you expecting him pretty soon?"

"I expect him to be here when he shall come."

"That's quite a remarkable statement, isn't it?" said John lightly, as the Indian turned away and approached the place where Zeke was lying on his back.

An extensive conversation between the Navajo and the guide followed but the Go Ahead Boys were unable to hear anything that was said.

At last, however, Zeke arose and approaching the place where the Go Ahead Boys were standing, he said, "I hear you boys didn't do what I told you?"

"What was that?" inquired Grant.

"I told you not to leave this camp."

"We didn't go very far away," laughed Grant. "Every one of us got busy and we made some circles around the place here where we're stopping. We tried it three times, but we didn't find any signs of the claim which Simon Moultrie had staked."

"What did you expect to find?" demanded Zeke, a broad grin appearing on his face for a moment.

"The claim," reported Grant sharply.

"Did you think there was a big sign up there stating that this was old Simon Moultrie's property and warning everybody to keep off?"

Without waiting for a reply Zeke turned away, nor were the Go Ahead Boys able to induce him to renew his conversation. No reference was made to the plans for the following day and all four boys were greatly mystified when at last they retired for the night.

The failure of the guide to be interested in the attempts the boys had made to discover the claim for which they were searching was somewhat mortifying. Indeed, Fred was inclined to break out in open rebellion. It was Grant, however, who soothed his feelings and prevailed upon his friend not to speak again to Zeke concerning the efforts they had made.

Early the following morning the missing Navajo and the white man whose face was scarred, who had been an occasional unwelcome visitor in the camp, together approached the place where the boys were awaiting their coming.

"Do you see who that is?" demanded Fred in a low voice.

"Not being aged and infirm and my memory not having failed me as yet,"

said Grant solemnly, "I do recollect our distinguished visitor."

No more was said although with deep interest the boys watched the approach of the two men, wondering all the time what the coming of the white man implied.

Their curiosity was still further increased when Zeke without waiting for the men to enter the camp met them thirty feet away and at once entered into a low and earnest conversation.

"What's the meaning of all this?" demanded Fred again. "I don't see what that fellow is doing back here and I don't understand why Zeke appears to be so friendly with him. You don't suppose," he added cautiously, "that the guide has decided to go in with the other fellows, do you?"

"Don't you remember what Zeke told you a good many times?" spoke up Grant sharply. "He said that children should be seen and not heard."

Fred's face was expressive of his anger, but he wisely did not respond to the suggestion of his friend.

It was not long before Zeke and the two newcomers entered the camp where breakfast was hastily prepared for the Indian and his companion.

"Zeke," spoke up John, "we don't understand what's going on. What does all this mean?"

"What does all what mean?" retorted Zeke blankly.

"You know just as well as I do. What is this man doing here in our camp again?"

"You'll have to ask him."