Again did the fire signaling go on; and the new torch selected by the expert Giraffe proved even better that the one that had burned out. Letter by letter did Thad send a long message, and Allan spelled it out as it progressed; so that by the time it was completed every one knew just what had been flashed upward toward the unseen receiving party above.
"Can we get up to where you are?"
Now the fiery finger in the darkness began to write an answer; every letter was plainly carried out, so that not in a signal instance did Thad "trip up" as he read it aloud.
"Yes, but come quick—bring rope—might fall any minute!"
"I bet you he's hanging on to a little narrow shelf of rock!" declared Bumpus.
"But if he is, how in the dickens could he get the fire to signal with; that's what bothers me?" muttered Giraffe.
"Where are you?" signaled the scoutmaster, promptly, thinking to get all the information possible while the chance remained.
"On a ledge part way down the cliff," answered the one who had said his was Aleck Rawson.
"How did you get there?" went on Thad.
"Lowered here, and left to die like a dog," came the stunning answer.