Fred Munson, having been deceived once by the Apache climbing up the rope,
was not to be caught again in the same way. When he became certain that a
second person was coming up, he grasped his pistol again, and held himself
in readiness to "repel boarders," the very instant they appeared.

It soon became evident that this second person, whoever he was, had a
serious time in climbing up the rope. He frequently paused as if resting,
and this fact led the lad to feel more hopeful than ever that it was his
old friend drawing near.

When it became apparent that he was near the top, the curiosity of Fred
became so great that he drew himself forward, and, peering down the black
throat of the cave, asked, in a whisper:

"I say, Mickey, is that you? Speak, if it is, or give a little whistle."

"Be the powers, but I'm so tired I'm spaachless, wid not even the strength
to let out a whistle."

This established the identity of the climber beyond all question, and the
words were hardly uttered when the familiar face of the Irishman appeared.

He was exceedingly tired, and the lad reached his hand down to assist him
out. It was at this juncture that the Apache, who had run against the fist
of Mickey O'Rooney, recovered, and seeing his foe in the act of vanishing,
gave a whoop of alarm to his companions, caught up his rifle and fired
away. The hasty aim alone prevented a fatal result, the bullet clipping
the clothing of the Irishman.