communication with their ally below, probably by a system of signals with
the lasso, such as the man in the diving-bell employs when below the
surface. These, too, must have been satisfactory, for, in a very brief
time thereafter, the decisive operations were taken up and continued.

There was considerable of the lasso still left above ground--more than
Fred imagined--and this was secured about a jutting point in a rock near
at hand. It was fixed so immovably that it could not fail. "I wonder if
they mean to roll that thing in upon Mickey's head, or what is it?"

They speedily showed what their intentions were. In less than a minute
after the lasso was fastened, one of the Apaches caught hold of it and
slid down through the opening so rapidly, that it looked as if he had lost
his hold and dropped out of sight. A second did precisely the same thing;
then a third, fourth and fifth, until only one warrior was left above
ground.

"Oh! I hope he'll go," whispered Fred to himself; "and then I can do
something big."

But the Apaches had evidently concluded that it would be an imprudent
arrangement not to leave any of their friends on guard--not because they
expected any interference from outside parties, but to provide against
accident. If the lasso should fail them at a critical moment, they would
be in a bad predicament, cut off from all means of getting out, as the
skylight was the only avenue known to them, while, if a comrade remained
above, all such danger would be escaped. Their purpose had been to send
the five warriors down into the cave to attend to the case of the parties
there.