“It would help her a lot if she knew we were so close to her,” said Bud.

The glare from the fires flaring upward fell full upon their faces, and they knew that if she looked in their direction she would not fail to see them.

They saw her cast her eyes all around the sky, and in their direction.  Ted dared not make a noise, but he nodded his head several times so that she would know who it was, should she chance to see him.

Evidently she did not, for she turned away, and again her eyes swung around in the circle with her back to them.

“I’ve a mind to throw somethin’ down at her, and attract her attention ter us,” said Bud.

“And have every one of those cutthroats get on to us.  Don’t you do it,” said Ted.

In a moment Stella looked up again, and this time they saw her start, then stare fixedly at them.  Ted nodded his head again, and this time she made a gesture that told them that she had seen them, and knew that they were there.

“Duck yer head quick,” said Bud, rapidly getting out of sight himself.

“What’s the matter?” asked Ted.

“I saw Shan Rhue walking toward Stella.”

“But she saw us, just before she ducked into her tent.  Now it’s up to us to get her out of there.”

“You bet.  But it will be a big job to get in there.”

“I’ve got a plan that ought to work out.”

“What is it?”

“You go back and get the boys.  Put Ben and Clay down in the valley to hold the entrance to the Hole in the Wall.  Bring the rest up here.  Hurry!  I’ll stay here on guard.  If any man attempts to touch Stella, I’ll pot him from here.  Bring your lariat with you.”

Bud hurried away as he was bid, and in the course of half an hour, during which Ted, looking over the edge of the Hole, saw the men preparing to retire for the night, he returned with seven of the boys.

“Now, fellows,” said Ted, “I’m going down into the hole to send Stella up on the rope.”

“Jeering jackals!” exclaimed Bud.  “Don’t you ever do that.  It means sure death ter you, an’ p’r’aps ter Stella, too.”

“No, I don’t think so.  At any rate, I’m going to take a chance.  It will be up to you fellows to keep the bunch down there busy while I’m at work.  Three of you will stay on this side of the hole, and four on the other.  If you do your firing right, you will keep those fellows jumping from side to side so fast that they won’t have any time for me.”

“I see yer scheme, but I wouldn’t like ter undertake it myself.”

“Did you bring the rope?”

“Here it is,” said Bud, unwinding it from around his waist.

Ted took it from him while the boys distributed themselves in their firing positions as he had directed.

Ted looped the rope under his arms.  “You’ll lower me down, Bud,” he said.  “Maybe I’ll come up hand over hand if I can, and you will pull away when I give the rope two jerks.”