“Yes, with his head facing towards the outlet of this chasm. He hears me talking, ’cause I see him prick up his long ears.”
“Al’ light,” said Tally, joyfully. “Tell me, do ledge end in hole like dis-a-one do?”
“No, it looks as if it ran right down to the valley, Tally. I can see the sunlight down at the end, about a mile away.”
That caused great joy in each heart, and Tally said, “Al’light, now come back.”
So the scout crawled back, while Tally spoke with Omney and planned what to do. The result of this conversation was then apparent.
Tally tied a long rope to his own waist, and Omney began paying out the rope as the Indian went over the edge of the gulch. Every one held his breath to wait developments. Then they heard Tally shout, “Al’light—le’ go.”
“Now us back out—Tally ride Jolt down valley,” announced Omney.
“O Hominy! Do you think the mule is all right?” cried Ruth.
“Tally say so. Us go back now.” So back they went in every sense of the word—back along the ledge, and backwards all the way.
The horses climbed the rocky slope and went along the top-side of the chasm, but it was no better adapted for comfortable riding than the bottom had been. After an hour of dreadful jumps and jolts and slips, the riders came out to the valley that Betty had spoken of, at the end of the draw.