alarming, and he made his way back to the mouth of the cavern, where he
sat down to await the moment for him to lower the lasso that he hoped was
to give Mickey O'Rooney a chance for his life. It seemed to him that it
would not be safe to attempt it until the sun went down. His theory was
that the Apaches would not remain directly beneath the opening all the
time, but that there would be a chance for the Irishman to creep up
without detection. He would be looking for the lasso, and in the darkness
might be able to ascend it without discovery.

The lad hoped that all the redskins had reached the conclusion that both
he and the man were outside; and, finding that it was out of the question
for them to escape by the opening, which was at such a distance over their
heads, had scattered to search for some other egress. It was not
impossible that such was the case, and if it were, it placed the situation
in a light by no means discouraging.

It was hardly dark when Fred Munson carefully shoved the end of the rope
over the edge of the opening, and let it descend slowly, gently and
noiselessly to the bottom, permitting it to pass through his hands in such
a way that he could tell the instant it was disturbed. When he knew that
it had struck, he waited for a "bite."

To his astonishment, it came within the next five minutes. He was startled
by feeling a decided pull repeated several times.

The situation was so delicately critical that it would not do to speak nor
whisper, nor even to utter their whistle, no matter how cautiously made.
So, by way of reply, Fred gave the lasso, several responsive jerks,
intended to signify that everything was ready, and his friend might come
ahead.