“We shall hear from Dad one of these days,” was Butler’s mental conclusion.  “All right, we deserve all we get and more, I guess.”

Shortly afterwards the party was in the saddle, setting out for their forty-mile ride in high spirits.  They hoped to reach their destination early on the following morning.  Some of the way was dusty and hot, though the greater part of it was shaded by the giant pines.

They caught up with the pack train shortly before noon, as Nance had said they would.  A halt was made and a real meal cooked while the mustangs were watered and permitted to graze at the ends of their ropes.  The meal being finished, saddle bags were stocked as the party would not see the pack train again until some time on the following day.  Then the journey was resumed again.

The Pony Rider Boys were full of anticipation for what they would see when they reached the Canyon.  Dad was in a hurry, too.  He could hardly wait until he came in sight of his beloved Canyon.  But even with all their expectations the lads had no idea of the wonderful sight in store for them when they should first set eyes on this greatest of Nature’s wonders.

That night they took supper under the tall trees, and after a sleep of some three hours, were roughly awakened by the guide, who soon had them started on their way again.

CHAPTER VI

A SIGHT THAT THRILLED

“We’ll make camp here for a time, I reckon,” announced Dad about two o’clock in the morning.

“I thought we were going on to the Canyon,” said Tad.

“We shall see it in the morning,” answered the guide somewhat evasively.  “You boys turn in now, and get some sleep, for you will want to have your eyes wide open in the morning.  But let me give you a tip:  Don’t you go roaming around in the dark here.”

“Why—–­why not?” demanded Stacy Brown.

“Oh, nothing much, only we’re likely to lose your valuable company if you try it.  You have a habit of falling in, I am told.  You’ll fall in for keeps if you go moseying about in this vicinity.”

“Where are we?” asked Butler.

“’Bout half a mile from the El Tovar,” answered Nance.  “Now you fellows turn in.  Stake down the pintos.  Isn’t safe to let them roam around on two legs.”

Tad understood.  He knew from the words of Nance that they were somewhere in the vicinity of the great gash in the earth that they had come so far to see.  But he was content to wait until the morrow for the great sight that was before them.

The sun was an hour high before they felt the heavy hand of Jim Nance on their shoulders shaking them awake.  The odor of steaming coffee and frying bacon was in the air.

“What—–­sunrise?” cried Tad, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

“And breakfast?” added Ned.

“Real food?” piped Stacy Brown.