had said. "I mean, that's what Tad called," he explained, amid a roar
of laughter.

"He won't find it so fine if he falls in," muttered Walter.

"Bad spirits in water," grunted the Indian.

"Unfortunately for us, they're not all down there," growled Ned. But
his barbed wit failed to penetrate the tough skin of the red man.

"Tend to business, boys," warned the Professor, observing a series of
frantic gestures on the part of Stacy Brown. "What does he want, to
be lowered?"

"Yes, yes, don't you understand?"

"No, we don't understand motions in a foreign language," laughed
Walter, permitting the rope to slip through his hands a little.

"How's that?" queried Professor Zepplin.

"More rope!" roared Stacy. "Watch my signals, then you'll know what
to do."

"What not to do," muttered Ned.

Once more Tad began his cautious creeping down the uncertain trail.
Though he had gone some distance, it seemed to him as if the bottom
were further away than when he started.