he tree.

First of all Tom made a running noose in the end of the rope. Then he
lowered this to Tony who was almost below the limb of which they were
astride.

"Listen, Tony," said Tom, clearly, "put the loop under your arms, with
the knot at your chest. Then grin and bear it, because we've got to
drag hard to get you free from all that stuff you're in."

"Oh! never mind about me, Tom; I'd stand anything if only I could get
out of this terrible place. Pull me in half if you have to; I'm game!"
said the boy below.

They found that it was really a little harder than they had bargained
for, because of their insecure footing. Accordingly, after several
attempts that did not meet with much success, Tom had the other end of
the rope carried to the scouts who were on the ground.

After that Tony just had to come. He evidently suffered pain, but, as
he had said, he was game, and in the end they hoisted him to the limb,
where he clung watching the next rescue.

It happened that Asa was the second to be pulled out. Meanwhile Dock
was in great distress of mind. All his nerve seemed to have gone, for
he kept pleading with Carl not to think of having revenge because of
the way he had harmed him.

"Only get me out of this, Carl," he kept saying, "and I've got
something right here in my pocket I'm meaning to give back to you. I
was getting shaky about it anyhow; but if you help me now you're
a-goin' to have it, sure you are, Carl!"

It can easily be imagined that Carl worked feverishly when it came
time to get Dock Phillips out. He was deeper than either of the others
had been, and it required some very rough usage before finally they
loosened him from his miry bed.

Dock groaned terribly while the work was being carried on, but they did
not stop for that, knowing it had to be. In the end he, too, was drawn
up to the limb, a most sorry looking spectacle indeed, but his groans
had now changed into exclamations of gratitude.

It required much labor to get the four mud-daubed figures down to where
the others were awaiting them. Even Tom and his helpers were pretty
well plastered by that time, and their new uniforms looked anything but
fine. Josh grumbled a little, but as for Tom and Carl they felt that it
was worth all it cost and a great deal more.

Carl would not wait any longer than he could help. Perhaps he believed
in "striking while the iron was hot." Tom too was egging him on, for he
felt that the sooner that preciou