“Aren’t we going into the Canyon to stay?” asked Walter.

“Yes.  We’ll either go down Bass Trail or Grand View.  We can get the pack mules down those trails, but on the Bright Angel we’ll have to leave the pintos before we get to the bottom and climb down.”

“Any Indians down there?” asked Ned.

“Sure, there are Indians.”

“What’s that, Indians?” demanded Stacy, alive with quick interest.

“Yes.  There’s a Havasupai camp down in Cataract Canyon, then there are always some Navajos gunning about to make trouble for themselves and everybody else.  The Apaches used to come down here, too, but we don’t see them very often except when the Havasus give a peace dance or there’s something out of the ordinary going on.”

“And do—–­do we see them?”

“See the Indians?  Of course you’ll see them.”

“Are they bad?” asked the fat boy innocently.

“All Indians are bad.  However, the Havasus won’t bother you if you treat them right.  Don’t play any of your funny, sudden tricks on them or they might resent it.  They’re a peaceable lot when they’re let alone.”

“One of the gentlemen who were here this evening told me the Navajos, quite a party of them, had made a camp down near Bright Angel Gulch, if you know where that is,” spoke up Professor Zepplin.

Dad pricked up his ears at this.

“Then they aren’t here for any good.  The agent will be after them if they don’t watch out.  I’ll have a look at those bucks and see what rascality they’re up to now,” said Nance.

“Any chance of a row?” questioned Ned.

“No, no row.  Leastwise not for us.  Your Uncle Sam will look after those gentlemen if they get gay.  But they won’t.  It will be some crooked little trick under cover—–­taking the deer or something of the sort.”

“Will we get any chance to shoot deer?” asked Walter.

“You will not unless you are willing to be arrested.  It’s a closed season from now till winter.  I saw a herd of antelope off near Red Butte this afternoon.”

“You must have eyes like a hawk,” declared Stacy, with emphasis.

“Eyes were made to see with,” answered Nance shortly.

“And ears to hear, and feet to foot with, and-----”

“Young men, it is time you were in bed.  I presume Mr. Nance will be wanting to make an early start in the morning,” said the Professor.

“If we are to get back the same day we’ll have to start about daybreak.  It’s a hard trail to pack.  You’ll be ready to stretch your legs when we get back to-morrow night.”

The boys were not ready to use those same legs when they were turned out at daybreak.  There was some grumbling, but not much as they got up and made ready their hurried breakfast.  In the meantime Nance had gotten together such provisions as he thought they would need.  These he had packed in the saddle bags so as to distribute the weight.  Shortly after breakfast they made a start, Dad going first, Tad following close behind.