Once he aroused himself to the fact that he could no longer see his comrades, or catch a sound of their voices.  This disagreeable idea caused him to hurry, and no doubt he became less cautious in navigating some of the various narrow paths, for before he realized that he had started a small avalanche, he was caught up in its gathering swoop, and found himself being carried swiftly down a rather steep declivity, unable to stay his rush.

CHAPTER XV

IN THE RAPIDS

“Give him another call, Frank!”

“That fellow beats all creation for lagging!  I believe he’d rather snap off his old camera than eat, any day.  If he doesn’t look out, that panther may get—­Glory to goodness!  What’s that, Reddy?” cried Jerry.

“Sounds like a bit of an avalanche, though this here is a queer time of year for that.  Generally comes, you know, in snow time, or when the rains arrive,” was the cowboy’s ready answer.

“But—­Will—­he may have started it, and gone down into one of these beastly holes!” observed Bluff uneasily.

“Let’s go back, fellows, and make sure,” remarked Frank instantly.

They retraced their steps, Reddy leading the way, and every one on the lookout for any signs of an unusual happening.

“There’s where it fell, and it looks like quite a lot of stuff had gone down the slope,” said their guide presently.

“Hello, Will!  Will!” shouted Frank.

“Well, I’m waiting for you,” said a quiet voice close at hand.

“Where in the world are you, pard?” burst out Jerry.

“Oh, here,” came the reply.

“Ginger!  I believe he’s down the bank!” cried Bluff.

“Just what he is!  Come here, fellows!  Did you ever see anything to beat that?  Talk to me about your lucky dogs!  Here’s one that takes the cake every time!” sang out Jerry, as he thrust his head out beyond the edge of the platform where the slope began.

“Oh, I don’t know.  There have been cases where people have been saved from all sorts of disasters by the fortunate presence of a rope.  Chuck us a loop, Reddy, will you, please?” said Will, and Jerry became as dumb as an oyster.

No wonder Frank laughed, even while he watched the cowboy dropping his lariat down as the other so coolly requested.  Will had slid some twenty feet down the steep bank, along with the loose surface stuff, which gathered force as it proceeded.  Then a projecting stone had caught the bag of his coat, and he was supported in this fashion by the stout fabric.

“What are you trying to do down there?  Expect to cut me out of my job as the cliff climber of the party?” asked Frank jokingly.

“Not so that you’d notice.  Thought I might get a better view down along here.  But first of all, save my precious camera, before I consent to come up,” answered Will, and he insisted upon fastening the same to the dangling rope.