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.If this is the landmark Mr.Jenks wassearching for, then we must be in the vicinity ofPhantom Mountain.""I think we are," declared the diamond seeker."Probably it is within sightnow, but there are so many peaks, and this is such a wild and desolate part ofthe country that we may have trouble in locating it.""We've got to make a beginning, anyhow," decided Tom, "and the sooner thePage 39 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlbetter.Come, we'll make up our camping kits, and start out."It was something to know that they were on the right trail, and it was arelief to be able to busy oneself, and not be aimlessly searching for amysterious landmark.They all felt this, and soon the airship was taken to asecluded part of the valley, where it was well hidden from sight in a grove oftrees.Tom and Mr.Damon then served a good meal, and preparations were made to starton their search among the mountainsa search which they hoped would lead themto Phantom Mountain, and the cave of the diamond makers.The tent which would afford them shelter was in sections, and could be lacedtogether.They carried food, compressed into small packages, coffee, a fewcooking utensils; and each one had a gun, Tom carrying a combination rifle andshotgun, for game."We can't live very high while we're on the trail," said the young inventor,"but it won't be much worse than it was on Earthquake Island.Are we allready?""I guess so," answered Mr.Damon."How long are we going to be away?""Until we find the diamond makers!" declared Tom, firmly.Shouldering their packs, the adventurers started off.Tom turned for a lastlook at his airship, dimly seen amid the trees.Would he ever come back to theRed Cloud? Would she be there when he did return? Would their quest besuccessful? These questions the lad asked himself, as he followed hiscompanions along the rocky trail."Perhaps we can find the road by which these men go in and out of the cave,"suggested Mr.Damon, when they had gone on for several miles."I fancy not," replied Mr.Jenks."They probably take great pains to hide it.I think though, that our best plan will be to go here and there, looking forthe entrance to the cave.I believe I would remember the place."Tom Swift Among the Diamond MakersCHAPTER XIII ON PHANTOM MOUNTAIN44"But why can't you follow the directions given by the miner who told you aboutPhantom Mountain?" askedMr.Damon."Because his talk was too indefinite," answered Mr.Jenks."He was sofrightened by seeing what he believed to be a ghost, that he didn't take muchnotice of the location of the place.All he knows is that PhantomMountain is somewhere around here.""And we've got to hunt until we find it; is that the idea?" asked Mr.Parker."Or until we see the phantom" added Tom, in a low voice."Bless my topknot!" exclaimed Mr.Damon."You don't mean to say you expect tosee that ghost; do youTom?""Perhaps," answered the young inventor, and he did not add something else ofwhich he was thinking.ForTom had a curious theory regarding the phantom.They tramped about the remainder of that day.Toward evening Tom shot somebirds, which made a welcome addition to their supper.Then the tent was puttogether, some spruce and hemlock boughs were cut to make a soft bed, and onthese, while the light of a campfire gleamed in on them, the adventurersslept.Their experience the following day was similar to the first.They saw noevidence of a large cave such as Mr.Jenks had described, nor were there any traces of men having gone back andforth among the mountains, as might have been expected of the diamond makers,for, as Mr.Jenks had said, they made frequent journeys to the settlement forfood, and other supplies."Well, I haven't begun to give up yet," announced Tom, on the third day, whenPage 40 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmltheir quest was still unsuccessful."But I think we are making one mistake.""What is that?" inquired Mr.Jenks."I think we should go up higher.In my opinion the cave is near the top ofsome peak; isn't it, Mr
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