"Let Elwood do so then," Monella decided. "He is tired; and you can come and help unload." The animal had, in fact, already begun to show a liking for Leonard, and, when he went out towards the canyon, it followed him at once. Jack watched this with some surprise, and affected much disgust. "Just like the generality of females," he remarked, "inconstant and changeable. Here have I been at the trouble of capturing the beast, and being worried with her all day, only to see her transfer her affections and allegiance to some one else at the very first opportunity!" The unloading was then proceeded with, and before dark everything they had brought was placed within the cavern temporarily, to be moved on to other places, as might subsequently be determined. When all had been brought in, the Indians set to work to cook their evening meal, while Jack did the same outside the canyon entrance. The hunters had shot an antelope, and with some of this and some fish a satisfying meal was provided; the puma lying down and watching the proceedings with evident curiosity, but with no more attempt at interference or stealing than in the case of a well-trained dog. Needless to say she was rewarded for her patience with a share. When the meal was over, and Jack and Leonard took out their pipes, Monella, looking at the former, said,-- "You have something of importance to tell us. What have you seen?" At this Elwood turned and regarded Jack with surprise. "Why, what is it?" he exclaimed. "You have said nothing about it all this time!" Jack looked a little sheepish. He was somewhat taken aback, too, by Monella's direct question. It brought to his mind the query that had often arisen before--could this strange being read his thoughts? "I scarcely know whether I have seen something or only dreamed it," he began hesitatingly; and seeing Leonard, at this, open his eyes, Jack went on desperately: "Well, yes! I may as well out with it and make a clean breast of it! I _have_ something to tell you, and for the life of me, I cannot make up my mind whether I actually _saw_ it, or dreamed it--whether, in short, it was reality, or only a vision!" Leonard opened his eyes wider than ever, and gave a long whistle. "_You_ having 'visions'!" he exclaimed in unbounded astonishment. "_You_, the scoffer, the hard-headed, prosaic-minded derider of dreams and visions! Great Scott! Is the world then coming to an end? Or have the demons of the mountain in truth bewitched you as Matava declared they would?" "Ah! I knew you would laugh at me, of course. And I feel I deserve it. However, if you want to hear what I have to tell, you will have to keep quiet a bit. I cannot explain while you are talking, you know." "I'll not say another word; I'm 'mum,' but amazed!" Elwood answered. "Now go a-head."