The fire was kindled under the lea of a projecting shelf of rock and soon the odor of broiling bacon appealed strongly to the Go Ahead Boys, whose appetites already needed no stimulant. "This is the life!" exclaimed John a few minutes later when he and Fred were seated on rocks under the shade of the over-hanging cliffs. John was holding a strip of broiled bacon on the end of the stick which he grasped in one hand, while with the other he was holding a huge piece of johnny-cake, in the making of which Pete was an expert. "We couldn't find anything better than this," responded Fred, "even after we have dug out our mine. I wonder what we'll do with all the money we'll get." "I know what I shall do with mine," laughed John. "What?" "Spend it in carfare coming out to the Colorado River. I would like nothing better than to start in where the Green and Grand Rivers join and try to do what Major Powell did. Indeed, I would like to go clear through to the lower part of the Gulf of California." "You don't want very much, do you?" laughed Fred. "Not very much," retorted John. "This simple life appeals to me all right." "You certainly looked simple this morning when you disappeared in the river." "You mean I looked simple _before_ I disappeared," retorted John. "I don't know what I can do to make you more careful in your use of the English language. You certainly did not see me _after_ I disappeared." "We certainly did," retorted Fred. "I saw your head away down the stream though your feet weren't very far in front of the boat. You were going like mad." "I don't deserve any credit for that," laughed John as he extended his stick for more bacon. "Did you notice how many branches there are to this gulch?" inquired John as he resumed his repast. "I've counted four or five canyons that open into the right side of this gulch and I guess there are as many on the other side although I can't see." "Yes, it's all broken up," acknowledged Fred as he looked in the direction indicated by his companion. "It's a mighty interesting place." "That's no news," laughed John. "Where are you going?" Fred had arisen and throwing his gun over his shoulder he had started toward one of the canyons that opened on the opposite side of the great gulch. "Where are you going?" called out Pete sharply as he discovered the action of the Go Ahead Boy. "Not very far," replied Fred. "You had better not," warned Pete. "Look out for snakes." Fred stopped abruptly at the reference to the reptiles, but as John laughed loudly he decided to continue on his way. "Come along, Jack," Fred called. "Nay verily, not so. I've had all the hike I want to-day." Fred laughed and made no further response. Without waiting for his friend to join him he turned into the canyon and in a few minutes was unable to see the camping place which he had left behind him.