A long discussion followed. While it was in progress Mrs. Wampole prepared a hot supper, to which later on Allen and the others did full justice.
It was decided to remain at the crossroads hotel all night, and the three retired early, that they might make a start before sunrise.
It must be confessed that the young ranchman slept but little. His mind was in a whirl over all he had discovered, and he shuddered whenever he thought that his uncle might possibly be in peril of his life.
"Those men would indeed dare all for gold, as those initials on the cross imply," he said to himself. "What a pity they were not exterminated the time old Sol Davids was lynched."
Toward morning Allen dropped off into a troubled slumber, to be awakened with a start by a touch from Ike Watson's hand an hour later.
"Time ter climb below an' feed up, Allen," cried the old hunter. "We hev a long ride afore us, ez ye know."
"That's true!" cried the young ranchman, springing to his feet; and Ike went off to arouse Noel Urner.
The young man from New York felt rather
