“Look out, then,” cried Fred. “Down I come.”

“No, no; wait a moment,” was the reply. “I want to try and find out what it’s like.”

Whirr, whizz!

“What’s the matter?” cried Fred, as he heard his companion utter a loud, “Oh!”

“Something rushed by me.”

“What was it?”

“I couldn’t see. Ah! there it is again.”

“Hold tight; I’m coming,” cried Fred. “I dare say it was an owl or a bat. Oh my! doesn’t it scrape you?”

Scarlett’s response was a sharp ejaculation and a jerk at the rope.

“Here, what are you doing?” cried Fred.