A moment later he was almost ashamed of his complaint.  If the bird was able to make its way not only up the canyon but also far above it why should not a man be able at least to gain the rim?

The very fact that there were difficulties to be solved was what made the work of a man worth while.  The difference between a man and a lump of earth was that one was living and was able to use his will and brain, while the other was a clod always to remain a diminishing bit of the surface of the earth.

“I’ll be a man!” declared Fred resolutely.  As he spoke he sprang to his feet and drew his belt more closely about him.  He recalled stories of Zeke in which that worthy guide had explained that the feeling of hunger was greatly assuaged by drawing one’s belt more tightly.

Convinced that he had been helped already, Fred raised his rifle to his shoulder and fired.  He was eager to give some token to his friends if they were nearby that he was not far away and in good condition.

He fired three shots, but no answering shot was heard.

For a moment he thought of the anxiety of John and the guide.  The picture of the distress of his friend was not inspiring and almost in desperation Fred again raised his rifle and fired.

Still no response was made and the troubled boy was convinced that he was indeed lost.

He was aware too that the lack of food and loss of sleep had combined to make him weaker.  He was still following the course of the stream but his halts were longer and more frequent.  Whenever he came to a steep place the difficulty of climbing became more manifest.

And yet the determined boy did not abandon hope.  Resolutely he continued in his efforts and at times was surprised to find how rapidly he was moving.

It was long since he had taken any thought of his surroundings.  His sole purpose now was to keep on until he should come to some place that would enable him to gain the plateau above.  Once there, he believed he would be able to discover where he was and perhaps be able to find his friends.

He had no conception of distance or direction.  He might be moving farther and farther all the time from his companions, but there was nothing else to be done and so he doggedly held to his purpose and continued on his way.

He was convinced that he was steadily climbing all the time.  The rim appeared to be nearer and although the brook was not much below him its swifter current indicated that it was passing over ground much higher than it had been when Fred first had followed it.

Fred had been unable to obtain anything to eat.  He had not seen any living creatures except a few hideous and huge lizards and the birds which had been flying far above the border of the canyon.

He now had approached a part of the canyon where the way appeared to be much more open than before.  For some strange reason which he was unable to explain he had been able to follow what appeared to be almost a pathway.  Seldom had he been compelled to climb from rock to rock or make many detours.