quick-witted, and it occurred to him that the last incident which had
happened at the entrance to the cave might be turned to good account. If
he continued to remain in the background, the Apaches were likely to
conclude that he, too, was beyond their reach.

Thus matters stood until the signal was made to him, when he deemed it
wise to make a cautious reply, merely to apprise the lad that he was there
within call, and understood the situation through and through.

Mickey was very apprehensive when, some time after, he discovered that one
of the Indians was ascending the rope. He was not so apprehensive when he
came down again. The result of this repulse was much more decisive than
Fred had supposed. The warriors seemed to suspect that they were throwing
away time in attempting to outwit one who held such an immense advantage
over them, and who was too wide-awake to permit them to steal a march upon
him.

The delighted Irishman knew, from the sounds, that the redskins were
moving away from the spot, not with the idea of staying away altogether,
but that they might engage upon a little reconnoissance which might
possibly open the way that they were so anxiously seeking. One of the
redskins passed almost within arm's length of him, never suspecting, as a
matter of course, that he was brought into such proximity to a mortal
enemy. Mickey only breathed until assured that there was quite a distance
between him and the Apaches.

"Now it begins to look as though there's a chance for me," he concluded;
"and if me laddy will let down the lasso, I'll thry the bootiful
experiment of shinning up it, though I much fear me that it will be the
same as a greased pole."