CHAPTER XI.
A KING OF THE FOREST.
The boys remained standing at the mouth of the cavern until the guide disappeared on the other side of the little plateau.

Then they looked at each other and smiled.
"Well, it appears that we are to have another day to ourselves," said Jack; "and we can't gain anything by waiting, so let's be off." Nothing could be more satisfactory to Fred, and the two took nearly the same course as their friend, who passed from sight but a short time before.

They had no intention, however, of following him, for that would have been displeasing to the veteran, who, had he desired their company, would have asked for it.
Without any definite object in mind, they took substantially the route of the previous afternoon.

Sooner than they anticipated, they found themselves on the margin of the canyon that had been the scene of so stirring an experience, but the point where they reached it was deeper in the mountains.
"Jack, we can't be very far from that break that Hank spoke of; let's hunt it up." "I am willing; but before we do so we'll peep over the side, to see whether he or anyone else is there." No change was to be noted in the appearance of the tiny stream at the enormous depth, but neither friend nor stranger was in sight.

They did not expect to see any one, and began moving along the side of the stupendous fissure in their search for the place where Hank had entered it.