Bart was awakened by feeling himself vigorously shaken, but, when he started to speak, a hand was over his mouth, and a voice whispered, in his ear: "Easy, old boy; don't make a racket. We want to take a little stroll by ourselves, and there might be objections." He knew it was Frank who spoke, although it was still dark, with just a hint of approaching dawn in the east. When Frank was sure Bart understood he removed his hand from the latter's mouth, and the dark-haired boy crept softly from his blanket. "Where are you going?" whispered Hodge, in surprise. "Never mind," was the answer. "Take your rifle and come along." The men were sleeping heavily. The horses stamped restlessly at a distance of two or three rods. The stars were fading before the gray light that slowly spread in the east. Bart secured his rifle. Frank had his already, and they stole out of the bivouac. Frank led the way, walking swiftly, and making no noise. Bart wondered what the boy meant to do. Surely he did not think of skipping the party, for the horses were abandoned. The dark-haired lad could not restrain his curiosity long, and he asked a question as soon as they were beyond earshot of the camp. "What do you mean to do, Frank?" "Take a morning stroll," was the laughing reply. "It is good for one's health. Why, it's a regular tonic." Bart was puzzled, for he knew Frank was not out for his health. "You are not skipping them?" he asked. "Not for long," was the reply. "But what will they think when they awaken and find we are gone?" "I have left a note." "Where?" "Pinned to Big Gabe's breast." "What did you say?" "That we would be back, and for them not to think we were running away." "They will think so, all the same." "They are likely to." "And I fail to see the object in this move. If they catch us before we return, Jack Long is liable to tie us up and take us back to Carson without delay." Frank laughed softly. "They will not catch us till we are ready to return. I will tell you just what this move means." "Fire away." "Last night, after we both seemed to be asleep, Big Gabe told his companions just where this hidden cabin of the counterfeiters is located. I was not asleep, although I seemed to be, and I heard every word." "Well?" "Well, we are going there." "For what reason?" "To see what we can do. I also overheard the men talking, and they seemed extremely doubtful as to our ability to do much of anything. In fact, they regarded us as an incumbrance. That touched my pride. I resolved to see if we could not convince them that they had made a mistake." "Are you sure you can find this hidden cabin?" "No; but I can try. I remember every word Gabe spoke, and I'll come pretty near it, you may bet." "Go ahead. I am with you." Bart did not question his friend further, although it seemed a foolish move to him. But he remembered that, in the past, Frank had seldom made a mistake when he set out to do anything.