again.

"If he is down there, he must have a chance to get hold of the rope, or he
can't come up here," was the reasonable conclusion of the lad, who passed
it downward slowly and in perfect silence.

Fully a score of theories flitted through his head as he lay thus
speculating upon the situation down below. At one time he was sure that it
was useless to attempt to help his friend in that style. A half-dozen
Apaches would not permit a single white to climb into safety immediately
before their eyes, especially when they could cover him with their rifles
if he should succeed in giving them the slip at the start. Then it
appeared anything but reasonable to suppose that the Indians would remain
directly below him, waiting for their chance to try their fortune in the
trapeze line again. More likely they would scatter and hunt separately for
the outlet which had permitted their intended victim to gain his safety.
They could expect to gain nothing by remaining, and they were too shrewd
to do so.

When the matter presented itself in this shape, Fred was ready to call
down to Mickey, instructing him to grasp the lasso, and ascend without
further delay. Too much precious time was being wasted. Fortunately,
however, before he acted upon this theory, enough doubts arose to prevent
his carrying it out.

He had had enough experience with the rope to know how to gauge it very
well, and he lowered it until the other end was within two or three feet
of the bottom. Having placed it thus within easy reach, he let it pass
over his hand, holding it so delicately poised that the slightest
disturbance was sure to be detected. He was in the position of the