“Heavens!” exclaimed Charley; “if we had to stay here long I should give up the ghost.” Dick felt about the same way, but as it happened they did not have to stay at the Palace at all, for they had scarcely located themselves in their room and Dick was just getting ready to go out and look for Doctor Dan, when all at once there was a knock on the door and when Charley opened it there stood a tall Indian dressed in an ordinary business suit, with nothing to distinguish him from a white man except his features and his long black hair. “I want to see Dick Darrell,” he said, without a trace of accent. “Are you the young man?” “No; this is Dick Darrell,” replied Charley, pointing to his friend. “Come in.” The Indian entered the room with solemn tread and an expression of imperturbable gravity upon his swarthy face. “I suppose this is Doctor Dan!” exclaimed Dick, extending his hand. “I’m glad to see you, I’m sure.” “That’s how,” replied the Indian, “I was ordered to meet you here by Professor Poynter.” “That’s right.” “I’m ordered to take you up into the Bad Lands to Izard Lake,” continued Doctor Dan, slowly. “The horses are all ready, likewise the pack mules, of which there are two. Provision I have laid in enough to last a month. I have three rifles and two guns. I have blankets and two tents and cooking utensils. If there is anything more you wish I will procure it if it is to be had in Node Ranch.” The deliberateness with which he spoke was almost ludicrous. It was all the boys could do to suppress their smiles. “Why, I should say you had got everything we could possibly need,” said Dick. “You speak as good English as I do, doctor. Are you a half-breed?” “No, sir, I am not,” replied Doctor Dan, in the same slow way. “I am a full blooded Sioux, but I was adopted by a rancher when I was a little boy and I was educated at Carlisle College, Pennsylvania, an institution for the education of Indian youths, of which you have doubtless heard.” Poor Dick was almost overpowered. As for Charley, he had to go out in the passage and explode or he would have laughed in Doctor Dan’s face. “Well, I’m sure I’m much obliged to you for doing everything up in such good shape,” said Dick. “When do we start?” “Right away after dinner if you follow my advice,” was the reply. “We have got a long road before us. It will take us three days to reach the foot of the mountain. If you are anxious to get to work, as I take it you are, there is no time to lose.” “I certainly am,” said Dick, “so we will go at once. Charley and I will be ready say at one o’clock.” “At one o’clock,” repeated Doctor Dan, solemnly. “That is an engagement. I will keep it. Good day.” “What about the monster?” asked Dick. “You saw it, I believe.” “I did. It is there,” replied Doctor Dan. “Can you describe it?” Doctor Dan entered into a most accurate description of the Plesiosaurus. It seemed hard to imagine that he was lying and Dick’s hope was greatly aroused.