Part 11 (2/2)

”Well, get off now,” said the Professor. ”We'll take for granted that you'll do your best. But get back before dark.”

The red man was off with a bound, and releasing one of the ponies leaped into the saddle, plunging over the rough, rocky trail at a pace that threatened destruction to pony and rider.

”They'll break their necks. But he certainly is making time,” grinned Walter.

”Hope he doesn't break any necks until he returns with a rope. I don't care how soon after that he--”

”That's not a kind thing to say, even of an Indian,” corrected the Professor.

”Then I won't say it. I'll just think it,” laughed Ned.

”We have sent for a rope, Tad,” called Walter. ”You must have patience, for it may be several hours before he gets back.”

”Whom did you send?”

”The n.o.ble red man,” interjected Ned, with a laugh.

”Then, it is more likely to be a week before he returns,” sighed the lad.

They could almost hear Tad groan. However, there was nothing they could do, and after talking back and forth for a time, the boys settled down to rest, rather worn out from the excitement of the last few hours.

Chunky, though, seemed drawn to the edge of the cliff as if by some invisible force. He simply could not keep away from it.

Twice Ned Rector had hauled him back.

”Fall over if you wish to, Chunky. I can't be bothered to watch you all the time,” said Ned finally.

”I won't fall over. Once is enough,” replied Stacy, then they left him to himself.

The boy, observing that his friends were not looking, began to toss tiny pebbles over. He was chuckling with glee. First he would throw one, peer over to watch the effect, then dodge back. Stacy Brown's sense of humor seemed impossible to satisfy.

At first Tad paid little attention, believing that what he heard dropping about him was particles dislodged from the rocks overhead.

But when finally, a bit of limestone the size of a chestnut hit the lad fairly on the top of his head and bounded off, he sprang up from where he had been sitting, with an exclamation of impatience.

Moving slightly to one side, Tad peered cautiously upward. He was gratified a moment later by a sight of Stacy Brown's red face peeking over at him.

”Hi, yi, yi, yi!” exploded Tad Butler.

Just at this time Professor Zepplin happened to cast his eyes over toward Stacy and, seeing that something unusual was going on, went quickly but silently over to the boy.

”What's the trouble? Anything the matter?” called the Professor.

”There will be if you don't tie Chunky to a tree or something,” called Tad.

”We haven't any rope to tie him with, but we'll attend to the young man,” answered the Professor. ”See here, boy, what have you been up to?”

”I--I was tossing pebbles over at him,” answered Stacy whimsically.

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