"When they run out, they will pass me. Then I'll get in through the
door," Ned replied. "If there's no one in there it won't take me long
to find the boys and turn them loose."

"But if there is some one in there?"

"Then you'll hear shooting," Ned answered, grimly. "In that case,
mount the mule and get back to camp and bring Jack and Oliver and a
lot of guns."

"But one of those boys must be in there," Frank insisted. "Some one
rode Ike here!"

"We don't know who it is that is here," Ned reflected. "Anyway,
you've got to get away with the mule after making all that noise.
Don't go in the direction of the Brady cabin. We don't want that man
Bradley mixing us up with police officers!"

"Every minute counts!" Frank declared, "I'm off. You'll hear a racket
like the blowing up of a world in about three minutes! Good luck!"

The lads shook hands and parted. It seemed to each one that the other
was going to his death, but only encouraging words were spoken.

In five minutes a horrible clamor rang down the canyon. Uncle Ike
screamed, and the beating of hoofs sounded like a charge of cavalry.
Then came sharp, quick pistol shots.

Three men dashed out of the cavern and Ned crept in at the open door!