“And we must get them out of that deep hole by hook or by crook, Dick!” he exclaimed.
The two pushed forward until they could look down toward the place where they had discovered the forlorn figures of the prisoners.
“Hello! Hardy—Mordaunt!” called Dick, just loud enough to make his voice carry to the men. He did not know what danger might be near, and on this account believed it the part of wisdom to be careful.
Immediately the pair below looked up. When they discovered the boys they manifested the greatest delight, even to shaking hands with each other. Evidently they had been close to the point of despair.
“We’re going to get you out of that hole first of all!” called Dick, “and then you can tell us what happened.”
“Where is Jasper Williams?” demanded Roger, unable to restrain his impatience longer.
“We do not know,” came the discouraging answer.
“Then he isn’t down there with you?” pursued Roger.
“No. The last we saw of Jasper he was still alive, although hotly pursued.”
Naturally these last words excited Roger’s curiosity more than ever. He could easily guess that the party must have met with a stirring adventure of some sort, and if Williams had fled it must have been hostile Indians who pursued him. But Dick would not hear of any further delay in starting work.