"That rope? Why, it's half as big as my arm! Yes, bigger."
"But it has been here a long, long time. Ever since I can remember. Doesn't rope rot?"
"I'll bet that's as strong as iron," boasted Billiard. "There's nothing rotten about it. I'll stump any of you to go down with me."
"Will you go first and see if there are any snakes?" demanded Susie, whose love of adventure was constantly leading her into mischief.
"If you'll promise honor bright to come next."
"I will," Susie rashly promised, her eyes dancing with excitement and eagerness. "Will you go, too, Toady?"
"Sure, but who's going to let us down? I'll bet it takes some work to keep the rope unwinding just right."
"I'll lower you all," proposed Mercedes magnanimously, for the idea of descending into that black, musty hole did not appeal to her in the least, but she could not bear to appear less brave than fly-away Susie.
"You! Pooh! You are just a girl! The bucket would get away from you the first thing, and then where'd the rest of us be? No, I've got a better plan than that. You and Toady and Irene let Susie and Inez and me down first; and after we have had a look at the thing, we'll come up and let you down. How does that suit you?"
"It's a go," Toady readily responded.