When they reached the dry stream bed, they followed it into the gorge. Pitch’s exclamations rose with the ascent, but ceased altogether when they reached the smaller valley. Steve too was moved again, even more deeply this time, by the solemn splendor of the hidden valley.

As they started across the valley floor there was no need for him to urge Pitch to greater speed.

Steve called a halt when they reached the spot where the stream had been diverted across the valley. “Let’s leave our packs here, Pitch,” he said. “There’s no need to carry them the rest of the way. And if we make camp tonight, don’t you think it should be here? Where we can get water, I mean.”

“Yes. Yes,” Pitch returned quickly, anxious to be on his way. He had his pack off before Steve and was already walking toward the chasm when Steve called to him.

“Your rope, Pitch. Where is it? We’ll need it.”

“It’s in my pack,” Pitch replied without stopping.

Steve got the rope and ran after Pitch, managing to catch up to him only when he had reached the entrance to the chasm.

Pitch took in the jagged walls rising above them. Then he turned to Steve, and his voice wavered as he said, “You realize what we’re doing, don’t you, Steve? We’re following the footsteps of the Conquistadores. This was their way to and from Blue Valley. And we’re the first, the very first ones …” Without finishing the sentence Pitch walked forward again, and Steve followed.

The gusts of wind coming from the tunnel beyond began blowing in their faces as they made their way down the chasm; eventually they heard the sound of crashing waves on the outer walls.

There was no time for talk now, and they went forward eagerly, one thinking of his horse, the other of the Conquistadores’ exit to the sea.

When they reached the tunnel, Pitch, who still led, slowed his pace until the light became brighter as they went along, then he hurried on. But he came to an abrupt halt as the tunnel opened into the large cavern and before them, in the room’s dim light, was the canal leading to the sea.

Pitch stood there for a long while, and Steve was about to pass him when he moved quickly toward the canal. Steve followed, stopping again as he came to the adjoining chamber which Pitch had passed in his haste. Turning, Steve went inside.