“Will you give me my pistol?” demanded the man with the scar.  “There’s no knowing what we may run up against and I don’t like to go down into the Gulch without anything to protect me.”

“No, sir, I won’t,” said Zeke.  “That pistol is as dangerous in your hands as it would be in the hands of an Apache.  There’s just one thing we’ll do for you.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ll take back what I said and we’ll give you something to eat if you’ll agree to leave and never come back.”

“In course we’ll do it,” laughed the man.  “I didn’t believe that you’d turn us away without giving us even a spoonful of that stuff you’re cooking.”

Other articles of food had been prepared by Zeke, who was desirous of economizing in the fire.  Wood was scarce and so difficult to obtain that the guide was unwilling to waste a fire just for the sake of their uninvited guests.

As soon as he was convinced that the men were busy in their repast Zeke solemnly winked at Grant and in a manner which was seen by all who were in the camp motioned for him to follow.

Grant at once obeyed the suggestion and as soon as they had withdrawn to one side Zeke in a low voice said, “Did those two fellows come across the Gulch?”

“Yes,” replied Grant.

“Then it looks likely to me that they have been looking for that claim.”

“What makes you think so?”

“They have been gone ’bout long enough to cover the distance.”

“Do you think they have found it?”

“I can’t say.”

“But do you think they have?”

“It looks a bit like it, judging from the fact that they have come back here so soon.  Now I want you to see which way they go when they leave.”

“Are you sure they’re going to leave?”

“Perfectly sure,” remarked Zeke as a slight grin appeared for a moment upon his face, “and they’re goin’ to be in a hurry when they go, too.  Have you got plenty of soap in the camp?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Well, then I want you to take some of it and go down there at the head of the path they follow when they leave us and grease those rocks.  Don’t cover them all, but put enough on them so that the rocks will be slippery.”

“But you don’t want to hurt them, do you?” protested Grant.

“Don’t you worry none about hurtin’.  All I’m goin’ to do is to ’accelerate their departure,’ as the poet says.”

“What poet says that?” inquired Grant laughingly.

“I don’t just remember his name,” said the guide demurely.  “He said it though and that’s enough.”

“I’ll do what you say,” said Grant, as they both turned back to rejoin their companions.

Beckoning to Fred, after he had secured a bar of soap and taking with him a small pan of water, Grant led the way to the spot which the guide had indicated.

There, unseen by the others they thoroughly carried out the directions which Zeke had given them and in a brief time turned back to the camp.