“This is a very serious matter, fellows, and we don’t want to make a mistake by being in too big a hurry.  There are a few things that seem very clear after talking with Mr. Allen—­

“First, we must make our cabin stunt an Association enterprise, so we can have their help and backing.  Let’s make it a high school boys’ enterprise.  Next, we must find an ideal place, where the work will have all the natural advantages possible—­not too far away, not too close, near good water and a good supply of dead wood.  It would be best to get somewhere on the old Cripple Creek Stage Road.  Mr. Allen has suggested that we might help finance it in two ways:  Organize a cabin company and sell stock at so much a share, all stockholders being privileged to use the shack, or we might give a circus in the gymnasium and use the money thus earned.  He thinks the latter the better plan.  The greatest trouble seems to be to find the ideal place.  Mr. Dean, what do you think of the whole plan?”

“It’s a capital idea, fellows; only it means real business.  If you tackle a job like that, you want to finish it.  I’d sure be in with you on any such a deal.  Here’s a suggestion.  Why don’t six or seven of you fellows take a week just before school opens, pack your grub and blankets, take a gun or two and a good camera, and make a trip on foot, looking over the possible locations?  For instance—­start up the old Stage Road, go as far as Daddy Wright’s, then to the top of Cheyenne Mountain through that valley.  There is a beautiful park there that might be suitable; then down Rock Creek, up around Black Mountain, back around St. Peter’s Dome, then study the canyons along the railroad.  They say there is a good cabin somewhere near Daniel’s Pass, and several around Fairview.  Get into all of those canyons that run into North Cheyenne, because that would be the handiest location for us to get to.  It would be great if we could find an old prospector’s cabin that we could remodel and add to.  You see, we’d have a place to camp as we worked that way.  Then, too, it would have this decided advantage—­it would be a staked claim and not the open forest reserve.  You would have to pay for all lumber you cut on the reserve, but on a claim you are entitled to a certain amount for building purposes.  You see, we could probably show mineral anywhere near a prospector’s cabin.  I am convinced there are many such cabins that would be almost ideal, if we could only find them.”

“My father built a cabin in these mountains years ago,” said Willis.  “A miner’s cabin; but I’ve never seen it.  I don’t know where it is, but it’s near Cookstove Mountain.  Some one has jumped the claim, though, now, so mother said.”

“Wouldn’t it be funny, Willis, if we should find that old cabin of your father’s?” asked Mr. Allen.  Ideas came thick and fast.  Even “Sleepy” Smith woke up to the fact that something unusual was going on, and roused himself so as not to miss it.  After an hour’s planning and discussion they decided what to do.  A route was to be laid out and an investigation trip made under the direction of Mr. Allen.  The party was to be limited to six fellows:  Ham, Phil, Fat, Chuck, and Willis were the ones chosen to go.  Definite plans were laid out, and the following Tuesday set as the day for starting.