bed, and he based his
calculation on hope rather than knowledge. The roar of the canyon was
notably fainter, and, when he looked aloft, the ribbon of starlit sky
appeared nearer than at first. There could be no doubt that he was
making his ascent at the most favorable point, for the height was much
less than at most of the other places, and he believed this was the
portion where Hank Hazletine had climbed from the bottom to the top of
the gorge. Could he have been certain of the latter, all misgiving would
have vanished.

Not a trace of his panic remained. If Motoza had returned to the cavern,
and, discovering the flight of his prisoner, set out to follow him,
there was little prospect of his success, for the fugitive had varied
from a direct line, and the Sioux might pass within arm's length without
being aware of the fact.

There was one peril to which Fred was exposed, and it was fortunate it
never entered his mind. Supposing Motoza was standing on the ledge at
the bottom of the canyon and gazing upward, weapon in hand, it was quite
probable that he would be able to locate the youth. This would be not
because of any superiority of vision, but because of that patch of sky
beyond, acting as a background for the climber. With his inky figure
thrown in relief against the stars, his enemy could have picked him off
as readily as if the sun were shining.

This possibility, we say, did not present itself to Fred Greenwood, and,
more providential than all, Motoza was not in the canyon.

The slipping of one foot tore most of the sole from the stocking, and
his foot had henceforth no protection against the craggy surface.

"I don't mind the stocking," grimly reflected the youth, "for there is
another pair in camp and plenty of them at the ranch, but how it hurts!"

He would have been altogether lacking in the pluck he had displayed thus
far had he been deterred by physical suffering from pushing his efforts
to the utmost. He would have kept on through torture tenfold worse, and
he showed himself no mercy.

Few people who have not been called upon to undertake such a work can
form an idea of its exhausting nature. It would be hard to think of
anyone better prepared than Fred Greenwood to stand the terrific draught
upon his strength; but while a long way from the top, and while there
was no lack of supports for his hands and feet, and in the face of his
unshakable resolve, he was compelled to doubt his success. It seemed a