shall not be taking any risks to speak of--"

"How do you propose to go about it, young man?"

"Simplest thing imaginable. I'll climb down with a rope around me, so
that in case I slip anywhere you can straighten me up. I promise you
I will not fall."

"The next question is, where are you going to get the rope?"

"I have one that is plenty long enough," answered Tad.

"You mean the quarter-inch rope?" spoke up Walter. "That's in the
pack that went over the cliff."

Tad Butler's face fell.

"Guess you are mistaken, Walt," corrected Ned. "You threw that rope
down when you were packing. I picked it up and it's in my kit on my
pony now."

"Hurrah!" shouted the other boys. "You can't down the Pony Riders."

Tad hurried to Ned's mount, and, pulling down the pack, secured the
precious rope, which he adjusted about his waist carefully, the others
observing him silently.

"I guess I am ready now, boys. I'll tell you what I want you to do,
so pay close heed to what I am about to say."