On three sides the plateau dropped precipitately into a
lower rock-strewn, valley. On its eastern side it joined the still
higher ridge. A pine forest crowned the top of the shelf-like
mountain side and then ran up to the higher slopes until the carpet
of green faded into the brown wastes of the timber line. In the
very center of the wilderness of trees glistened a little lake of
mountain water. From it the silver thread of a rivulet wormed its
way for a mile or more among the trees and then trickled over the
side of the cliff in a vapory waterfall.
Ned had swung the Cibola into a wide curve and the balloon and car
were soon directly over the mountain creek. He threw the aeroplane
guides downward and the slowly moving car drifted lower until it was
but four hundred feet above the water and the overhanging pines.
Then, following the water course beneath, the air ship floated back
into the woods and the little lake widened out beneath them. Two
deer, at the water's edge, stood unalarmed. On the south of the
lake a grassy opening indicated Ned's destination.
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