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By unfrequented trails they traversed the valley till they

reached the canon down which poured Squaw Creek on its way to the

outside world. A road ran alongside this for a mile or two, but

disappeared into the stream when the gulch narrowed. The first

faint streaks of gray dawn were lightening the sky enough for

Fraser to see this. He was riding in advance, and commented upon

it to Siegfried, who rode with him.

The Norwegian laughed. "Ay bane t'ink we do some wadin'."

They swung off to the right, and a little later splashed through

the water for a few minutes and came out into a spreading valley

beyond the sheer walls of the retreat they had left. Taking the

road again, they traveled faster than they had been able to do

before.

"Who left the valley yesterday for Gimlet Butte, Sig?" Howard

asked, after it was light enough to see. "I notice tracks of two

horses."

"Ay bane vondering. Ay t'ink mebbe West over----"