The greasers disappeared, and did not make an appearance again that night. Silver Sam was more than elated at the result. “I tell ye, boys!” he cried, “we kin whip the whole gang of them, even if they are three to one.” “An’ what’s more, we’ll do it!” cried Diamond Jake. The prospectors cheered wildly at this announcement. Daylight came at length. The party were all glad to see it, for it would enable them to start at once upon their expedition into the hills. As soon as possible, Silver Sam had all put in readiness for the start. Bill Guernsey and the stage were to carry a part of the company as far as the stage could go. Then the others were to press forward on foot or horseback, as the exigency would demand. At length the start was made. The Steam Man accompanied the party as far as the pass which entered the hills. Here the nature of the ground forbade its going further. Had it not been for leaving the Man, Frank, Barney and Pomp all would have liked to accompany the party. But as it was, the best thing that they could do was to remain upon the plain and wait for coming events. The party were soon out of sight. Hours passed, and the Steam Man remained at the mouth of the pass. Frank was not particularly charmed with the situation. It was terribly monotonous waiting here in this idle manner. Our travelers longed to be in action, to be doing something. But for the present, however, there was little or nothing to do but wait. Hours passed by slowly. Finally the day began to wane. Then Barney suddenly exclaimed: “Wud yez listen! I can hear the crack av foire-arms.” The Celt was right. Plainly enough to the hearing of all came the distant discharge of firearms. This meant a great deal. Without a doubt the prospectors had become engaged in battle with the greasers. Frank listened in a fever of excitement. He would have given much to be upon the scene. But this was impossible, for the rocky pass would not allow of the passage of the Steam Man. “Whew!” exclaimed the young inventor, impatiently. “It seems terrible to be compelled to sit here and do nothing.” “I have it, sor!” cried Barney. “What?” “Shure, if yez will agree to it, we will leave the naygur in the Stheam Man, an’ you an’ I will take a run up through there.” Frank turned to Pomp. “How is it, Pomp?” he asked. “It am jes’ as yo’ says, Marse Frank. Yo’ jes’ go right along fo’ all ob dis chile.” “All right!” cried the young inventor, with inspiration. “Come along, Barney.” Both seized their Winchesters and left the Steam Man. Striking into the pass they followed it for some ways. They then came out upon a sort of tableland high up among the hills. The sound of firing was now quite plain. But somewhat singularly, they were unable to locate it. There existed in the place a strange sort of echo which carried the sound away into different quarters. It was quite impossible for Barney and Frank to tell what direction to take.