"No, his hand hurt him so he went back to town to have a doctor look after it," replied Merwell. "Is he coming back here?" "He said he thought not--at least, not for the present." "Do you think those others will come here to-night?" asked Dave, as he came with a rope, followed by Phil with another rope. "We'll stand guard, lad, and see," answered Tom Dillon. Much against their will, Link Merwell and Job Haskers were bound, hands and feet. Then each was made fast to a rock not far from the campfire. "We'll take turns at guarding the camp," said Tom Dillon. "Two hours each every night after this;" and so it was arranged. Now that he was sure he was not to be shot, Job Haskers was very indignant over being bound. "It isn't a bit gentlemanly," he said, to Dave. "We won't argue the point," returned our hero, briefly. He was disgusted with both Merwell and Haskers, and he wished they might both go away and that he would never see them again. As he was so restless, Dave said he would be the first one of the party to stand guard, and, accordingly, the others turned in as before, dropping off to sleep one after another. Merwell was inclined to talk and argue, but Dave would not listen. "I am done with you, Link," he said. "And I am done with Haskers, too. All I want you to do is to leave me alone in the future." "You let us go, or it will be the worse for you," growled Link Merwell. When his two hours' guard duty came to an end, Dave called Roger, who in turn called Phil. The shipowner's son was still very sleepy, and he yawned deeply as he arose. "As soon as two hours are up you call Abe Blower," said Roger. "I sure will!" declared Phil. "I'm not half slept out yet!" Roger was tired himself and was soon in the land of dreams. Phil walked around the camp several times, to keep himself awake, and then sat down on a rock to rest. Alas! that rest was an ill-advised one for the son of the rich shipowner. As he sat there, Phil's chin sank lower and lower on his breast and presently his eyes closed and he fell asleep! And thus over two hours passed. "Hello!" The cry came from Abe Blower, as he turned and sat up. It was growing light in the east and the old miner thought it was time to get up. He directed his cry at Phil, who was huddled up on the rock. Phil did not budge, and the old miner leaped up and shook him. "I say----" commenced the youth, and then stared around him in astonishment. "Why I--I must have dropped asleep!" he faltered. "You sure did!" cried Abe Blower. He gazed around swiftly. "Was you on guard?" "Yes, and the prisoners----" "Are gone!" "Oh!" Phil's cry awoke all the others in the camp. One after another looked at the youth and then at the spot where Merwell and Haskers had been tied to the rocks. The ropes lay there, but the two former prisoners had vanished! CHAPTER XXVIII THE LOST LANDSLIDE MINE "They cut the ropes! See, here is where it was done, on this jagged rock!"