referable to the one which threatened him, made haste to reply:

"All right; I'll try it."

But it was necessary that the miscreant should give some instructions to
his prisoner. These were simple. He was to leap upon the rock nearest to
shore, and then, by the same means, ascend the canyon until ordered to
stop. From what has already been related concerning Jack Dudley's
experience, it will be seen that the task was difficult and dangerous.

There was no choice, however. He had gained a general knowledge of the
canyon and felt almost certain he would be overtaken by accident; but in
many respects his experience was so similar to that which was afterward
undergone by his comrade that the particulars need not be dwelt upon. He
found the work less laborious than he expected. The Sioux by gesture
indicated the rocks, when they were not clear to the boy, who found no
trouble in making the leaps. In every case he had hardly landed when the
buck dropped lightly at his side.

A desperate scheme was half-formed more than once while this singular
progress was going on. It was purposely to miss his footing and allow
himself to be carried away by the tumultuous torrent. He was restrained
by two good reasons. Motoza was likely to seize him before he was swept
beyond reach, and if he did not he would inevitably drown. Accordingly,
Fred kept at it until finally they reached the ledge up which Hank
Hazletine climbed twenty-four hours later.

By this time a suspicion of the partial truth had penetrated the mind of
Fred. There must be some cavity in the rocks where his captor meant to
hold him for awhile as prisoner. The plan of securing a large ransom in
payment for his freedom was not dreamt of by the youth. No one would
think of looking in this place for him, and he would be secure for an
indefinite period.

Motoza had learned several things from his association with those of
Caucasian blood, one of which was that a rubber match-safe is preferable
to rubbing two dry sticks together when in need of fire, or using the
old-fashioned steel and flint.

He managed with some trouble to make Fred understand he was to climb up
the ledge, and he followed so deftly that the prisoner was given no
chance to try to prevent him. A minute after they stood side by side,
Motoza struck a match, and his captive had a glimpse of the cavern which
has already been described.

Here, then, was the end of the journey. This was to be the prison of
Fre