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."
He took another look over the edge. All the men were rolled up in their blankets asleep, except an old Indian who sat crouched over the fire.
Ted carefully lowered himself over the edge for the descent.
Down he went slowly and quietly, and soon his feet touched the ground just back of Stella's tent.
"Hiss-t!" He gave a low, sibilant warning of his presence, and in a moment the corner of the tent moved aside, and he saw Stella's bright eyes looking into his. He motioned her to come out, and the flap was gently lowered again.
In a few moments, which seemed hours, the flap was raised again, and Stella crawled forth.
"Oh, Ted," she whispered, pressing his hand. He held up a warning finger as he rapidly tied the rope beneath her arms.
"Bud will pull you up. Good luck," he whispered.
"Are you going to stay down here?" she whispered back.