It was easier to get down than it was to come up, and once there he started boldly for Jim and the girls.
He was within twenty feet of them when Arietta turned and saw him.
"Here is Hop!" she exclaimed in a low voice. "Maybe he can help us out."
Jim brightened when he saw the clever Chinaman, for he knew very well that Hop had been of great value to them in such cases.
"Come here," he said, beckoning to him. "Don't make any noise, Hop."
"Me no makee noisee," was the reply. "Me knowee allee 'boutee; me just see Misler Wild. He tied to um post, and ten mans by him. Allee samee velly muchee bad workee."
"You saw Wild!" Arietta exclaimed, looking at the Chinaman in surprise.
"Lat allee samee light, Missy Alietta."
"Where did you see him?"
"Me go uppee lere, and me allee samee lookee down on um other side, so be."