“Too bad about your precious life,” laughed Ned.  “Well, Professor, what do you say?”

“Is it safe, Nance?”

“As safe now as at any other time.”

“All right.”

“Let down your ladder,” called the guide.  “Be sure that it is well secured.  How many have you with you?”

“Three men, if that is what you mean.”

“Very good.”

The rope ladder was let down.  Those below were just able to reach it with their hands.  It came within less than a foot of being too short.

“Who is going up first?” asked the guide.

“The Professor, of course,” replied Chunky magnanimously.

“That is very thoughtful of you, Stacy,” smiled Professor Zepplin.

“Yes, you are the heaviest.  If the rope doesn’t break with you, it’s safe for the rest of us,” answered Chunky, whereat there was a general laugh.

“Very good, young man.  I will accommodate you,” announced the Professor grimly, grasping the rope and pulling himself up with the assistance of Nance and the boys.

The rope swayed dizzily.

“Hold it there!” shouted the Professor.

Nance had already grasped the end of the ladder and was holding to it with his full weight.  After a long time a shout from above told them that Professor Zepplin had arrived safely at the top.  Walter went up next, then Chunky and Ned, followed finally by Jim Nance himself after their belongings had been hauled to the top.

Professor Zepplin embraced Tad immediately upon reaching the trail above.  The boys joked Butler about being such a poor swimmer.  About that time they discovered that Tad had a gash nearly four inches long on his head where he had come in contact with the sharp edge of a rock in the river.  Tad had lost much blood and was still weak and pale from his terrific experiences.  Nance wrung Tad Butler’s hand until Tad winced.

“Ain’t a man in the whole Grand who could have done what you did, youngster,” declared Dad enthusiastically.

“The question is, did you fetch down anything to eat?” demanded Chunky.

“Yes, of course I did.”

“Where is it?  Lead me to it,” shouted the fat boy.

“I left the stuff up at the Garden, where the mustangs are.  We will go up there, the Professor and Mr. Nance approving.”

The Professor and Mr. Nance most certainly did approve of the suggestion, for both were very hungry.  The men who had come down with Tad led the way with their torches.  It was a long, hard climb, the use of the ropes being found necessary here and there for convenience and to save time.  Tad had had none of these conveniences when he went up.  How he had made the trip so easily as he appeared to make it set the boys to wondering.

Baskets of food were found at the Garden.  The party did full justice to the edibles, then, acting on the suggestion of Nance, they rolled up in their blankets and went to sleep.  First, however, Professor Zepplin had examined the wound in Tad’s head.  He found it a scalp wound.  The Professor washed and dressed the wound, after which Tad went to bed.