"Yes, we don't want to stay down here. We can climb at night as well as in daylight," urged Chunky.
"What have you got, ropes?" called Nance.
"I've brought down some rope ladders, which I have spliced——-"
"I hope you've done a better job on the splicing than you did on your own rope when you sailed across the horseshoe bend," shouted Stacy. "If you haven't, I refuse to trust my precious life to your old rope."
"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."