“That can’t be String and Pete,” said George in a low voice.  “They would come from the other direction, wouldn’t they, Zeke?”

“Yes,” replied the guide abruptly.

“Then who are these men?”

“Not knowing, I can’t tell you.  I can say though that I hope you’ll be quiet and not forget that children are to be seen and not heard.  In course I mean if those two men come here, as I think they will.”

The unexpected discovery of two men in the gulch was of itself startling.  Seldom had the foot of man trod these weary wastes.  There was an air of complete desolation that rested over the entire region.  The discovery therefore of two men coming along the side of the canyon and following the way over which Zeke had gone was doubly surprising.

Conversation lagged while all four carefully watched the actions of the approaching men.

Whoever the strangers might be it was evident that they were not entirely unfamiliar with the region.  They picked their way with confidence and made surprisingly good time as they advanced.

When they had come within fifty yards of the place where the boys were standing, Fred excitedly seized George by his arm and said, “Do you see who those two men are?”

“Who are they?” asked George.

“They are the same two white men that came into our camp over on the canyon.”

“Is that so, Zeke?” demanded George in surprise as he turned to the guide.

“Yes,” answered Zeke sharply.  “Now see if you can keep from talking too much.”

In a brief time the two white men advanced to the camp.  From their actions it was apparent that they had not been aware of the presence of the young prospectors.  Their surprise consequently was as great as that of the Go Ahead Boys.

When they entered the camp the long, livid scar on the cheek of the smaller man convinced the boys that their visitors were indeed the same men who previously had come to their camp and to whose actions they had attributed the loss of the diary of Simon Moultrie, as well as the strange disappearance of the second boat.

The visitors were the first to speak as the taller man said, “What are you folks doing here?”

“Just now we’re doing nothin’,” replied Zeke brusquely.  “Can’t you see?”

“That’s about the same job we’ve got,” laughed the man with the scar.

“We’ve been busy enough,” growled Zeke.

“Doing what, may I ask?” inquired the larger of the visitors.

“Oh, looking for a lost boat—­”

“Nice place to look for a boat,” replied the man with the scar as he laughingly pointed to the desert wastes all about them.

“That makes no difference, we’ve found it just the same,” declared Zeke.

For a moment the two white men stared blankly at him, and then both laughed as one said, “If you don’t mind I wish you’d tell us where you found a boat up here.”