Once more our friends went forward, this time along the very edge of the new ridge that had shown itself after the great landslide. They had to advance with caution, for loose stones were numerous and so were dangerous holes. "We can't go much further to-night," announced Tom Dillon; presently. "This trail ain't safe in the dark." "All right, Mr. Dillon, we'll stop when you say so," returned Roger, with a bit of a sigh. "How much further to where the Landslide Mine was located?" "Not over two miles, as the crows fly, lad; but four to five miles by the trail." They went into camp in the very midst of the rocks. Strange as it may seem, there was water there, coming from a tiny spring under a huge boulder. It had a somewhat unpleasant odor, and the horses at first refused it, but the old miner said it was drinkable. "Only you don't want to live on it all the year around," he added, with a grin. "A doctor onct tole me if you did that you might turn into stone!" "I know what I am going to do, as soon as it gets dark enough," said Dave to his chums, while they were preparing supper. "What?" asked the other boys. "I am going to look for the campfire of that crowd ahead." "Of course!" cried Roger. "And, Dave, if it isn't too far off, maybe we can walk to it!" he added, quickly. "So I was thinking." Eagerly the three boys waited for the darkness of night to fall, in the meanwhile getting supper and tidying up the camp. Then they climbed to the top of the highest rock that was at hand and looked around them. "I see a fire!" cried Dave, and pointed it out. "Yes, and it looks to be less than a mile away!" returned Roger. "Let's walk to it!" put in Phil. And on this plan the three chums quickly agreed. CHAPTER XX THE EXPOSURE When Tom Dillon heard about the light that had been seen and the determination to walk to it, he wanted to know how far off it was. "If it's that close we had better all go," he announced, after being told. "If it's Abe Blower's camp it must be in a good spot, for Abe knows this locality as good as I do and maybe better. A mile isn't so far. We can walk an' lead the hosses, if we have to." Less than quarter of an hour later found them on the way. The old miner was in front, with Roger beside him, and Dave and Phil bringing up the rear. All were on foot, for they had to pick their way in the darkness, which seemed more intense than it had been on previous nights. "The sky is overcast," observed Dave, as they trudged along the uncertain, rocky trail. "Looks to me like rain." "We'll catch it sooner or later," announced Tom Dillon. "And maybe we'll have a big blow in the bargain." "Then it blows up here?" queried Roger. "Does it? I should say yes, lad! I've been in such a wind up here one could hardly keep his feet. And the rain comes so thick an' fast it nigh drowns you!"