to warrant him in the _dernier resorte_ he had fixed upon. If such was the
case, then, as Mickey himself might have said, "the jig was up."

Two or three coils still remained upon the ground when the Apache stopped
lowering the lasso, and, looking in the faces of his companions, said
something.

"It has either reached the bottom of the cave, or else Mickey has fired at
it," said Fred, who became more excited than ever.

He had caught no sound resembling a shot, and he concluded that it must be
the former, as was really the case. In a few seconds the Indian began
drawing up the lasso again, and a short time thereafter the roll of
blanket was brought to the surface. It was carefully examined by all the
group. The dirt on it proved that it had rested on the bottom of the cave,
but there were no marks to show that it had received any attention at the
hands of any one there.

There were grunts of pleasure, as this fact was gathered by the redskins.
The experiments had been satisfactory and they were prepared to venture
upon the more dangerous and decisive one--the one which they intended
should bring matters to a focus.

Fred was in doubt what this plan was to be until he saw the blanket
unfolded and as carefully wrapped around the form of one of the Apaches,
encasing him from head to foot. Great pains were taken to hide his head
and feet from view, the warrior lying upon his back, and suffering himself
to be "done up" with as much thoroughness as if he were a choice sample of
dry-goods. Viewed from a disinterested stand-point, the wonder was how he
was to breathe in such wrappings.