Mr. Grigsby appeared to be looking for certain landmarks, ahead. It was at the end of two weeks of travel and camp when they three, following a pack trail across a timbered ridge, suddenly emerged into a beautiful vista of valley and snowy range, to the north and east; the course of a rushing river, and the tents of another mining camp. "There she is!" cheered the Fremonter, swinging his hat. "There's the trail where Fremont and we fellows came in, the second time, winter of Forty-five. Yon river's the North Branch of the American. I remember that gap, there. What that camp is I don't know; but we'll find out." "This is an emigrant trail, then, too, isn't it?" queried Charley's father. "It'll be the main emigrant trail, or I'm much mistaken." "I don't see any emigrants, though," puffed Charley, as down they hastened, for the camp. He was wondering about Billy Walker. "No; there haven't many passed yet, that's certain," answered the Fremonter. "But the rush must be about due." "What camp's this?" he hailed, as they passed a party of miners delving and washing in a little ravine. "This is the Shirt-tail Diggin's, stranger, where everybody's happy and the goose hangs high." Shirt-tail Diggin's consisted of a collection of tents and of lean-to shacks made of boughs and canvas, three or four log cabins, and a store, scattered along the side of the valley, amidst great trees. To the east showed the bluish gap, of which Mr. Grigsby had spoken, in the hills, and beyond the hills was the snowy range. Through the valley coursed the river--the North Branch of the American, according to Mr. Grigsby; and in the river shallows and along the banks and in ravines and ditches on both sides, up the slopes themselves, with pick and spade and pan and cradle were working the miners. As with his father and Mr. Grigsby and the burro he drew near, Charley was surprised to hear a cheer--and another, and another, as if in greeting. Why was that? Was it a joke? But see! Arms were pointing, hats were waving, and shout joined with shout: "Emigrants in sight! Here they come--the overlanders! Tumble out, boys!" XX ANOTHER GREAT DISCOVERY Sure enough! Following a trail out from among the timbered slopes to the east, there emerged from the gap a white-topped wagon--and another, and a succession of dots of other vehicles and of people horseback, until a long line was winding down through the green and brown. Yes, emigrants! Charley had seen such wagons, and even such a procession, before, in Missouri; but this was different, because these wagons and people had come clear across the 2,000 miles of plain and mountain and desert, from the Missouri River! Think of that! From their ditches and ravines out clambered the miners all, to wipe their brows and gaze and cheer. And on weaved the line, until the people afoot, also--even women, and some children--could be seen trudging beside the wagons.