had said this he started to wave the torch in several ways. Now he
lifted it and lowered it rapidly; then it went out at an angle; and
followed with several circles, or possibly a diagonal dash.

And Giraffe saw that he was spelling out the word:

"Hello!"

Eagerly they waited to see the result.

As the last letter was formed, and the wind-up sign made to indicate
the message had been completed, to the astonishment of most of the
boys there was a sudden response. Away up on the face of what seemed
to be a high cliff a light appeared, and began to cut strange figures
and lines in the air, as an arm swung it to and fro. And Thad, as he
started to read the letters, realized that whoever it might be trying
to get in communication with those in the valley, he certainly knew
his Morse code all right; indeed a regular telegrapher and wigwag
artist belonging to the Signal Corps of the United States Army could
hardly have shown more proficiency in the business.

Regularly then, without a hitch, the fiery finger outlined against the
dark background spelled out the significant word:

"Help!"

Thad read each letter aloud, for the benefit of those among the scouts
who, not being so well along in the work, might have some difficulty
in following those wizard flashes to and fro, up and down, and around.

"Just like I said, ain't it, Thad?" breathed Giraffe, as if he felt
that his reputation, assailed by Step Hen, had been fully vindicated;
but the scoutmaster did not bother answering his question, since he
had his mind wholly bent upon solving the mystery of the mountains.

Again he started making erratic movements with the torch he gripped in
his right hand; and the staring Giraffe read what the patrol leader
was saying to the unknown party perched aloft.

"What is the matter?"

Then the light appeared again, and it seemed as though the other might
purposely be keeping it concealed between messages; and back came the
startling answer, which Thad spelled aloud as it was sent:

"In trouble--come up--help me!"

"Great governor! what d'ye suppose ails him?" exclaimed Giraffe,
seldom being able to keep a still tongue in his head, especially when
excited very much; and just then he was quivering all over with
nervous eagerness to solve the mystery.

"Somebody bring me another stick from the fire," said Thad; "this one
is getting burnt out. Giraffe, you go, because you'll know what kind I
want better than any of the others.