The Pony Rider Boys in the Ozarks | Page 9

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?"
"What do you mean?" demanded Chunky, pushing his way forward.
"He means," Walter informed him, "that if he wins it will be because he
takes a tumble to the bottom of the canyon. Understand?"
"Oh," muttered Chunky, thrusting his hands into his trousers pockets.
He stepped to the edge of the cliff, where he stood peering over
curiously.
"I hope Tad doesn't win, too," he decided sagely, whereat the others
laughed loudly.
"Now, Professor, will you please take charge of the operations?"
"Certainly. But, you understand, I permit this thing under strong protest.
I am doing wrong. I should use my authority to prevent it were we not
already in such a serious predicament."
"Don't worry. What I want is to have you take a few turns around that
small tree there with the rope, and pay it out carefully, so that I can
lower myself safely. Don't give me too much rope at one time, you
know."
"No," chuckled Ned. "You know what they say happens to people who
have too much rope."
"You mean?"
"That they usually hang themselves."
Tad laughed softly.
"Please call that lazy Indian over here and set him to work. Little does

he care what trouble we're in. See, he's asleep against a tree now."
"Yes, his head would fall off if it were not nailed fast to him," added
Ned, striding to the Shawnee and giving him a violent shake. "Wake up,
you sleepy head!" shouted Ned in a voice that brought the Indian
quickly to his feet.
"Come over here, Eagle-eye. You're wanted," called Walter.
"Put the Indian on the end of the rope; and, Professor, you please take a
hold nearest to the tree. You'll be my salvation. The rest of you, except
Chunky, can stand between the Professor and Eagle-eye."
They took their places as directed, while Tad straightened out the rope
until it extended to the edge of the cliff.
"What do you want me to do? Have I got to stand here and look on?"
demanded Stacy.
"No, Chunky. You may run the signal tower," laughed Tad.
"What's that? I don't see any such thing around here?"
"You are it."
"What? I'm what?" answered the fat boy, plainly puzzled.
"You are the signal tower in this case. That is, you will stand here and
watch me. When I give a signal you will receive and pass it on to the
others."
"What kind of signals?"
"That's what I'm trying to tell you, if you will give me the chance.
When I hold up my hand, it means that they are to stop letting out rope.
When I move it up and down, it means they are to let out on the rope a
little. Understand?"
"Oh, yes; that's easy. When they shake their hand, it means you want to

go up or down," exclaimed the lad enthusiastically.
"O Chunky, you're hopeless. No, no! Nothing of the kind. Listen. When
I move my hand up and down, just like this--Understand?"
"Sure."
"That means I want to go down further. They don't wave their hands at
all, at least I hope they don't while I am hanging in the air. Now, do you
think you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
"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