Part 6 (1/2)
”Then why not let me try--at least make an effort to recover our things? Why, just think of the amount of stuff we are losing, Professor.”
”But the risk, Tad. No, I cannot a.s.sume the responsibility--”
”I'll take the risk of all that. The only danger will be up here. I 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.”
CHAPTER IV
INTO THE CANYON
”Thaddeus, I cannot consent to this. I--”
”Please, now, Professor, don't stop me. I'm all right, don't you see I am?”
”Yes, at this precise moment you are. It's the moments to come that I am thinking about.”
”Don't you worry one little bit. Walt, will you bring me two of those staking-down ropes? I want to splice them on in case this one should prove to be a little short. Distance is deceptive, looking down, as we are here.”
”What do you want us to do?” asked Ned.
”Hold on to the rope, that's all.”
”In other words, we are to be a sort of 'tug-of-war' team, eh? Is that it?”
”I suppose it is, Ned.”
”Then I hope we win.”
”I sincerely hope you do, too,” laughed Tad.
”If I win, I'll lose. That sounds funny, doesn't it?”