"Do you see that crag that juts out from the side of the lower part of that peak?" asked Hank, extending his hand in the direction indicated. Thus aided, both boys looked at the exact spot. It was below the snow-line, where only a few of the rocks showed, because of the numerous pines which grew luxuriantly; but, keen as was their eyesight, they were unable to detect the first sign of moving thing or life. "Try your glasses on it," said Hank. The boys brought the instruments round in front and levelled them at the point of interest. As they did so they made a discovery. From the very centre of the clump of wood rose a thin, shadowy line of vapor, which was dissolved in the clear air before it ascended more than a few feet above the tree-tops. "So you obsarve it at last," said the hunter, after they had told what they saw. "Wal, now study it closer, and tell me if you notice anything queer 'bout the same." Wondering what he could mean, they did as he requested. A minute later Fred said: "The smoke does not ascend steadily; first it shows plainly, then there is none, and then it shows again." "Seems to keep it up, eh?" "Yes, like the puffs from the smoke-stack of a locomotive, only they are a great deal slower," explained Jack; "but the smoke soon dissolves in the clear air." "Not soon enough, though, to keep you from obsarving what we've been talking about?" "No; it is too plain to be mistaken." "Did you ever see the smoke of a camp-fire act like that?" "Never; have you?" "Many a time; that's an Injin signal-fire." This was interesting, but caused nothing in the nature of fear on the part of the boys. It was Fred who remarked: "The Indians must be signaling to some one." "Exactly." "It can't be to _us_?" "Not much; it's to another party of Injins, and that other party is calling back to 'em. See whether you can find t'other signal." The boys moved the points of their glasses back and forth and up and down, but it was not until their guide again pointed out the right spot that they located the second signal. Indeed the vapor was so fine and feathery that it was wonderful how Hank himself had been so quick to note it. The points were of about the same elevation, and separated by a distance of some two miles. Peak and valley, gorge and canyon, rock and boulder in profusion lay between. No doubt could remain that two parties of Indians were telegraphing messages back and forth, and that they were understood by each party. As yet the boys failed to see that the matter was of any special concern to them, though it was interesting to know that they were not the only ones who were hunting in that section. "I suppose," said Jack, "that the parties are from the reservation and are signaling to each other about the game." "That may be," replied Hank, after some hesitation, "but I ain't quite sure _we_ ain't the game they're signaling 'bout." "They wouldn't dare disturb us!" exclaimed Fred.