"Repeat the directions to me then, please."

Stacy did so.

"That's right. See that you don't forget. Remember, I'm depending
upon you, Chunky, and if you fail me, I may be killed."

"Don't you worry about me, Tad," answered Stacy, swelling with pride
because of the responsibility that had been placed upon his plump
shoulders. "I can make motions as well as anybody. Eagle-eye, tend
to business over there. Get hold of that rope. Twist it around your
arm. There, that's right."

"Hear, hear!" cried the boys.

Such self-confidence they had never observed in their companion
before. And then again, they were trying to be as jolly as possible,
that they might not give too much thought to the seriousness of the
undertaking before them.

"Chunky's coming into his own," muttered Ned. "He'll be wanting to
thrash some of us next. See if he doesn't."

"I think I am all ready now," announced Tad, casting a critical glance
at the men holding the rope, then taking a careful survey of the
depths below him.

He was standing on the very edge of the cliff, a position that would
have made the average person dizzy. Yet it seemed to have no effect