ighed that of the body. The dreadful day at
last drew to an end, and his situation and condition were much the same
as earlier in the forenoon. He had not seen a living person, and had
given over all hope of another visit from his merciless enemy.

"He means that I shall perish for want of food, and there is no help for
it."

But with the coming of darkness the energy of the boy's nature asserted
itself. It was impossible now for the Sioux or his allies to maintain a
watch upon the mouth of the cavern, where the lad was observed the
moment he showed himself, and Fred determined that as soon as it was
fairly dark he would make an attempt that should be crowned with success
or that would end his sufferings and wretchedness.

His plan was to let himself down from the ledge to the top of the
nearest rock, and then try to reach the break in the canyon as he had
ascended it under the guidance of his captor. It was not to be supposed
that the vigilant Motoza would leave the way open for him, though his
actions pointed to the belief that it was utterly impossible for the
prisoner to escape by that means.

Nor in truth was it possible, for in the impenetrable gloom he was
certain to miss his foothold sooner or later and be flung into the
torrent, with no possibility of the good fortune that attended Jack
Dudley, who had a much less distance to traverse.

It was yet early in the evening when Fred came once more and for the
last time to the front of the cavern. With that attention to trifling
matters which a person sometimes shows in the most trying crises he
wound up his watch, examined his clothing to see that everything was
right, adjusted his hat so that it was not likely to be displaced, and
looked out in the gloom. All that he could see was when he gazed upward
and observed a few stars twinkling in the thin streak of sky.

"Two things are certain," he mused: "that Indian does not think it
possible for me to make my way out of the canyon; and, if I should
succeed, he will be on the watch for me and shoot or try to force me to
return. He shall never get me back here, for I will take the risk of
drowning, and then----"

A thought flashed through him like an inspiration and fairly took away
his breath.

Why not climb the side of the canyon?

He was so overcome by the question, which seemed born of heaven, that he
stood dazed and bewildered. Then he became cool again and asked:

"Is it possible?"

He recalled that H