"I've got to let up a bit," he murmured. "I can't sit up in the saddle any more!" "I shouldn't have pushed ye so hard," answered Wumble sympathetically. "If ye--" he stopped short. "Who's that?" He dodged behind a rock, and the others did the same. Somebody was stirring below them, in the timber. All drew their pistols. "If it's an enemy we'll give them as good as they send," said Tom, and he meant it. But it was not the enemy; it was Dick, and he soon appeared and called to them. They were overjoyed, and ran out to meet him and Slim Jim, his companion. There was hearty handshaking all around. Then as they rested each told his tale. It was such a happy gathering as is not easily forgotten. "You couldn't have fallen in with a better man nor Slim Jim," said Jack Wumble to Dick. "He's got the warmest heart in all Colorady, he has!" It was decided to wait until the morrow before setting out again for Larkspur Creek. Slim Jim agreed to accompany them, for to the hunter and trapper one spot in the mountains was about as good as another. "An' I'll help ye keep an eye open for them Baxters," said the old hunter. A good night's rest did wonders for all hands, and they were stirring bright and early. Slim Jim knew every foot of the way, and he told Wumble of a short cut to the creek which was even better to travel than the short trail the old miner had selected. For two days the party went on, over hills and mountains and across marvelous canyons and valleys, thick with pines and firs. The boys had never seen such scenery, and for the time being their enemies were forgotten. Late in the afternoon of the second day they came out on the side of a low mountain which overlooked Larkspur Creek. "Here we are at the Larkspur at last," cried Jack Wumble. "And how far still to Kennedy's claim, do you think?" asked Dick eagerly. "Not more than two or three miles. We'll have to hunt up the landmarks," answered the old miner, but hunting landmarks had to be deferred to the next day. Then they set about it in earnest, and by noon they were on the same ground which Anderson Rover's mining partner had traveled so many years before. They were trying to put down the first of their stakes when a pistol shot rang out, and Dick received a slight wound in the hand. Looking up the mountain side they saw Arnold Baxter's savage face gazing down at them. Behind the father was his son Dan, and close by stood Roebuck. Evidently their enemies meant to fight for the possession of the mine to the bitter end. CHAPTER XXX THE LANDSLIDE--CONCLUSION "Dick, are you badly hurt?" cried Tom. "No--it's only a scratch. But it was a close call." "To cover!" came from Jack Wumble. "Quick, all of you!" There was no need to call out, for all realized that they were in a dangerous position. It was Arnold Baxter who fired on Dick. Now Tom fired in return, and so true was his aim that the elder Baxter was hit in the left shoulder.