"Hurrah!" shouted the other boys. "You can't down the Pony Riders."
Tad hurried to Ned's mount, and, pulling down the pack, secured the precious rope, which he adjusted about his waist carefully, the others observing him silently.
"I guess I am ready now, boys. I'll tell you what I want you to do, so pay close heed to what I am about to say."
CHAPTER IV
INTO THE CANYON
"Thaddeus, I cannot consent to this. I—"
"Please, now, Professor, don't stop me. I'm all right, don't you see
I am?"
"Yes, at this precise moment you are. It's the moments to come that I am thinking about."
"Don't you worry one little bit. Walt, will you bring me two of those staking-down ropes? I want to splice them on in case this one should prove to be a little short. Distance is deceptive, looking down, as we are here."
"What do you want us to do?" asked Ned.