"Only an attack of indigestion and loss of sleep--something I often have," he lied. "A cup of coffee will set me up. Don't worry. I'm strong--head doesn't bother me at all this morning, except a numb feeling inside." "I shall dress the wound at once, while the coffee is boiling," she replied. He would have objected. She silenced him with a look that acted on his chafed spirit like oil upon a burn. Her kind, almost tender voice and the soft touch of her fingers on his head soothed his anguish and seemed to counteract the poison instilled by Gowan. He began to doubt the puncher and the witness of his own eyes. When Blake and his wife came to breakfast, Ashton was so cheerful that they hardly noticed the traces of haggardness that yet lingered in his face. Blake at once centered the attention of all by explaining his plans for the exploration of the canyon. In addition to the surveyor's chain, a hammer, and the rope and spikes,--which were to be used only in making the descent,--he and Ashton were to carry the level and rod and a quantity of food. At the suggestion of Isobel, he agreed to take her father's revolver and fire it at intervals, on the chance that the watchers above might see the flash of the shots and so be able to follow the progress of the explorers down in the depths. Genevieve quickly thought out signals to be given in response. If at night, a torch was to be cast down into the chasm; if in the daytime, a white flag, made of a sheet sent by Yuki, was to be waved out over the brink. As the explorers might become confused in the gloom of the canyon bottom, the point of the bend opposite Dry Fork Gulch was to be marked by a beacon fire built on the verge of the canyon wall. Blake had already arranged everything that he and Ashton were to take down with them. Immediately after breakfast the outfit was fastened on the packhorses, together with food, water and blankets for those who were to remain on the heights. The ladies were determined to keep above the explorers at all points where the rim of the canyon could be approached. Gowan was to fetch and carry for them and take the horses down to the pool for water at night. Within half an hour after breakfast the party was jogging away from camp, fully equipped for the great undertaking. Gowan was afoot. His horse, as well as the regular pack animals, was heavily loaded with stores. He walked with Isobel, who had insisted that Ashton should ride her pony. Blake strode along at his wife's stirrup, carrying his son in a clasp as tender as it was strong.