“Did it really look like a thumb?” inquired Fred excitedly.

“It did.  We both saw it about the same time and there wasn’t any mistaking it either.”

“That’s all right then,” said Grant.  “If we’ve found Two Crow Tree and Tom’s Thumb then it ought not to be very hard for us to find Split Rock.  We know just about where it is placed, according to the map that Simon Moultrie drew.”

“It’s on the other side of the Gulch though,” suggested George.

“You don’t mean it?” exclaimed Fred laughingly.  “What a wise chap you are.”  As Fred spoke Grant drew from his pocket the paper on which he had retraced the outlines of the map drawn by Simon Moultrie.

“In course we’re not sure,” said Zeke, “but we can get an idea about where to look.”

“When shall we start?” asked Grant.

“First thing in the morning” replied the guide.  “We wouldn’t take any chances starting by night, though now that I’ve got that chap’s revolver I’m thinkin’ we wouldn’t have anything very much to fear from him.”

“But the other man may have a pistol,” suggested George.

“That’s right,” acknowledged Zeke.  “All the more reason for waitin’ until mornin’ afore we start.”

“Well, there’s one thing,” laughed Grant, “and that is that we shan’t try to go down the Gulch the same way those two men started.”

“They did sit down hard, didn’t they?” chuckled Zeke.

Again the Go Ahead Boys laughed at the recollection of the ludicrous sight presented by the two white men when they had unexpectedly started swiftly on their descent of the Gulch.

When the following morning dawned, the guides and the two Navajos were the first to be stirring in the camp.  Before breakfast had been prepared, however, the Go Ahead Boys were awake and preparing for their expedition.

The packs were to be restrapped and all their various belongings secured.  This task was completed by the time breakfast was ready and when the boys seated themselves on the ground they were thoroughly ready to receive the food which Zeke and Pete now served them.

“Zeke,” inquired Grant, “do you really think those two men found the claim which Simon Moultrie staked?”

“I don’t really think so,” answered the guide slowly, “but I shouldn’t be surprised if they did.”

“If they have got it,” said Grant, “what can we do?”

“Nothin’.”

“Do you mean to say that we can’t claim it?”

“That’s just what I mean.  You can take up some other claims right close by if you want to, but first come first served.”

“But that isn’t their claim.  It belonged to Simon Moultrie.”

“Well, if it did,” said Zeke dryly, “then I reckon they have as much right to it as we have.”

“I hadn’t thought of that,” said Grant blankly.  “However, I haven’t much idea that old Sime ever filed his claim.  If he didn’t, why we stand as good a chance as any one.  I do say,” he added, “that the sooner we get started and the faster we go the less trouble we’re likely to have.”