Maybe Dixon then told how the camp had been robbed of all the four partners possessed. To make it worth while, he said he would give Andrew West five ounces of gold dust if the stolen gold was recovered, and later on promised two ounces each to four other men who said they would go along to help round up the thieves. "I don't want any reward," said Andrew West. "We must stand together when thieves are around. I'll do my best for you." It was midnight when the posse left the gulch and two o'clock in the morning when they joined Mark, Si, and Bob. Everybody was fully armed. They went on foot, since to travel to Five Falls in any other manner was impossible. CHAPTER XXXII THE TRAIL OF THE GOLD THIEVES As he was the only one who knew the route, Andrew West took the lead, the others following in Indian file. It was a fairly clear night, with numerous stars twinkling in the sky overhead. All was quiet, save for the distant rush of some mountain torrent over the rocks. "I hope we are not too late," said Mark to Bob. "I don't want to lose all that gold." "Nor I. But I don't think they'll hurry--unless they suspect that we have discovered the truth." "Oh, they won't let the grass grow under their feet," put in Si. "They know what it means out here to be caught stealing." The route lay down the opposite side of the mountain and then along a watercourse lined on one side with rocks and on the other with a patch of spare timber. Not a camp of any kind was in sight, for nothing in the way of gold had been discovered in that vicinity. As the party moved forward, Maybe Dixon told a good part of his story, to which Mr. West and the other men listened with interest. He did not tell what the stolen gold was worth, but said it was "considerable," and the others understood. "It is funny the greasers didn't try to get the gold alone," said one man. "They didn't have spunk enough," answered another. "Behind it all, they are very cowardly. They went after Mark because he was a boy and thought they could get the nugget away from him with ease." The journey to Five Falls took the best part of three hours and at its end Mark, who had not yet fully recovered from his sickness, was ready to drop from weariness. But he did not complain, for he realized how much was at stake. "Can you go on?" asked Bob, who saw him falter a little. "Yes, Bob, I am going on." "It's rather tough on you. Why don't you let us go ahead alone?" "No, I want to see the finish of this affair." Five Falls was a narrow gorge between two hills of good size. Here the water of the river tumbled over a series of rocks, making a most picturesque bit of scenery. One of the hills was covered with low bushes, the other with a sweep of tall timber, including some trees of remarkable size. "Well, here we are," declared Andrew West, as he came to a halt beside the falls. He spoke in a low tone, knowing that they must be cautious.