"Reckon that's so, Frank," Lanky acknowledged, won over by the coolness and good judgment of his chum. "If we're going to have trouble getting our paws on that cache of nuggets with both maps to set us on the right track, why, those four-flushers haven't even a look-in." "Well, I've got a little news for you, Lanky, that ought to fetch a grin to your face. Your father told me not ten minutes ago that it's all settled." "Meaning when we start for Gold Forge? Is that the racket, Frank?" "To-morrow will be Sunday. We say good-by to Rockspur for a little while on next Tuesday morning!" Lanky's face lighted up with joy. He threw his hat into the air and gave a whoop that would have shamed almost any reckless, care-free puncher. "That's bully news, Frank Allen!" he burst out. "When dad saps a thing he sticks to it like a leech. My stuff is all packed, and I've even knocked off nearly half I laid out in the start to pack along. Dad told me we'd have to go light, as only one pack horse would be taken." Great excitement followed, particularly among the younger element at Rockspur Ranch. Minnie hovered around and listened to everything the boys said. She examined the two crude maps several times, as though they held a strong fascination for her. Frank often shook his head as he noted these things. "She certainly does want to be one of the bunch, all right!" he told himself. "I'm dead sure Mr. Wallace will never consent, although his wife would let Minnie do anything she liked, she's so easy going, and thinks such a courageous girl could always take care of herself. But while I'm sorry to see her disappointed, I don't think she ought to go on what may turn out to be a fighting trip." Of course the party would ride, and the ponies of the three boys were carefully groomed, also allowed to rest as much as possible, so they might be in the best of condition when the time arrived for the start. It was not to be a large party, just old Jerry Brime, Zander Forbes, and Mr. Wallace, besides the trio of boys, with a pack animal to carry such stores and necessities as they must take along in order to insure a fair degree of comfort. They had secured all the information possible from Jerry, as well as any of the other punchers who had by chance set eyes on the deserted mining camp in the mountains or knew something about the route hither. To the best of their understanding, the boys figured they would have to ride something like forty miles toward the southwest, then change to face the setting sun. After going, possibly, for several days, in the end they would reach the foothills along the base of the mighty Rocky Mountains. It gave them many a thrill, just the picturing in their minds of the new and wonderful sights that in all probability awaited them, while making their way to their intended destination.