Van Dorn had promised to extend the hint to us.

One evening Higbie came in greatly excited, and said he felt certain he had recognized Whiteman, up town, disguised and in a pretended state of intoxication.

In a little while Van Dorn arrived and confirmed the news; and so we gathered in our cabin and with heads close together arranged our plans in impressive whispers.
We were to leave town quietly, after midnight, in two or three small parties, so as not to attract attention, and meet at dawn on the "divide" overlooking Mono Lake, eight or nine miles distant.

We were to make no noise after starting, and not speak above a whisper under any circumstances.

It was believed that for once Whiteman's presence was unknown in the town and his expedition unsuspected.