Tad had been hurled clear of the water, hurled to the dry rocks on which he had been flung as if the river wanted no more of him.  The watchers began to shout.  They danced about almost beside themselves with anxiety.  No one could go to Tad’s assistance, if, indeed, he were not beyond assistance.

A full twenty minutes of this nerve-racking anxiety had passed when Dad thought he saw a movement of Tad’s form.  A few moments later the boy was seen to struggle to a sitting posture, where he sat for a short time, both hands supporting his head.

Such a yell as the Pony Rider Boys uttered might have been heard clear up on the rim of the Grand Canyon had there been any one there to hear it.  Dad danced a wild hornpipe, the Professor strode up and down, first thrusting his hands into his pockets, then withdrawing and waving them above his head.  Stacy had settled down on the rocks with the tears streaming down his cheeks.  Stacy wasn’t joking now.  This emotion was real.

They began to shout out Tad’s name.  It was plain that he heard them, for he waved a listless hand then returned to his former position.

“That boy is all iron,” breathed the admiring guide.

The noise of the river was so great that they could not ask him if he were hurt seriously.  But Tad answered the question himself a few minutes later by getting up.  He stood for a moment swaying as if he would fall over again, then staggered to the wall, against which he leaned, still holding his head.

“He must have got an awful wallop,” declared Dad.

Shortly after that Tad appeared to have recovered somewhat, for he was seen to be gazing up over the rocks, apparently trying to choose a route for himself.

“How can he ever make that dizzy climb in his condition?” groaned the Professor.

“We’ll see.  I think he can do anything,” returned Nance.

Tad walked back and forth a few times, exercising his muscles, then turned toward the rocks which he began to climb.  He proceeded slowly and with great caution, evidently realizing the peril of his undertaking, but taking no greater chances than he was obliged to do.

Little by little he worked his way upward, Now and then halting, clinging to the rocks for support while he rested.  After a time he looked down at his companions.  Nance waved a hand, signaling Tad to turn to the right.  Tad saw and understood the signal and acted accordingly.

Once he stood up and gazed off over the rugged peaks, sharp knife-like edges and sheer wails before him.  There seemed not sufficient foothold for a bird where he was standing, and though a thousand feet above the river, he seemed not to feel the height at all nor to be in the least dizzy.

It was dangerous work, exhausting work; but oh! what self-reliance, what pluck and levelheadedness was Tad Butler displaying.  Had he never accomplished anything worth while in his life, those who saw him now could but admire the lad’s wonderful courage.