somethin'. Every time she shakes, that rock up there
just starts to drop down on me! If it comes I'll be smashed."

Frank knew Spanish Joe. The man from across the Rio Grande had worked
on the Circle Ranch for many months, until he was discharged after
being caught in the suspicious business of conveying information to the
cattle rustlers.

"Wait 'till I strike a match, so I can see what things look like,"
Frank said.

And as the match suddenly flared up the dark-faced Spanish-American
stared with astonishment into the countenance of the one who had come
in answer to his frantic calls for assistance.

"You, Senor Frank?" he exclaimed.

"Sure," replied the rancher's son, as he bent over to examine the way
in which the prisoner's foot had become caught.

Although the match only shone for a few seconds, Frank's quick eyes had
sized up the situation.

"How is it, Senor Frank; can you get me out, _camerado_?" asked Joe,
with a quiver in his voice.

Something of a desperado the man might be under ordinary conditions;
but just then, when facing death, he proved very tame indeed.

"I reckon I can, Joe, if that tottering rock up there only holds off
long enough. Let's hope it will. Now, do just what I tell you; and
when I say pull, again, get busy for all you're worth!"

While Frank was talking he had been manipulating the foot of the
Mexican, who had worked so long on American ranches that he had lost
much of his national ways, though retaining a few of the
characteristics of dress that always distinguish his kind.

Frank himself was not wasting time. He did not like the looks of that
over-hanging rock any too well. It seemed to be about ready to crash
down, and when it did come the result would be disastrous to anything
human caught underneath; for it surely weighed many tons.

"Now, draw easily at first, and then increase gradually," Frank said.
"I'll hold onto the foot, and keep it in this position. I think that's
the way it first slipped into the crack!"

Spanish Joe eagerly obeyed. He groaned several times as he felt his
leg hurt, but desperation lent him new determination; for if this
attempt failed, as others had done, he believed that he was doomed.

Suddenly the foot came free. Joe fell over on the ground, but his last
groan turned into a cry of delight. It was almost comical to see how
quickly he rolled over several times, so as to get away from the danger
zone.

Frank, turning, clutched