was raining now, in sheets. The boys were quickly soaked to the
skin; but neither of them paid the least attention to this fact, which,
after all, was of minor Importance.

"Frank, do you think it's going to reach up here?" called Bob, as he
watched the rising line of water come within three feet of the ledge.

"I hope not," came the reply, and then Bob saw that his chum was moving
along the ledge looking carefully above as though in hopes of finding
it possible to climb higher, in case of necessity.

"Any chance of getting up the rocks, Frank?" he asked again, a minute
later.

"Mighty little, Bob," replied the other, dropping beside him; "how's
the water coming along?"

"Less'n two feet from us now, and still rising," reported Bob,
disconsolately.

"But it comes slowly, you notice," Frank declared, with hope in his
voice.

"I could just touch it the last time the lightning played; now I can
put my hand clear in it!" Bob called, uneasily.

Another minute passed. The lightning was of considerable assistance to
the trapped saddle boys, for it enabled them to see. Frank had lost
his lantern during the climb, as it was torn from his belt by a rock he
struck; so that only for this heavenly illumination they must have been
in utter darkness. And when peril threatens it is some satisfaction at
least to see the worst.

"Now it's only one foot down, Frank!" cried Bob.

"That's so," replied the other, instantly; "but I reckon it's about
reached its limit. You see, the higher it rises the broader the
channel becomes, and that takes a heap of the water. Bob, cheer up,
I'm nearly sure it won't reach the ledge!"

"Oh! don't I hope it won't!" cried the Kentucky boy, a little
hysterically; for his nerves had indeed been sorely tried during this
night.

Five minutes more passed, during which the torrent continued to rush
downward through the gorge with all the attendant clamor.

"It's at a stand!" shouted Frank, who had himself been making soundings
with his hand.

"And only six inches from the shelf!" echoed Bob. "That's what you
could call a close call; eh, Frank?"

"It sure is, old fellow," replied the prairie boy, himself more
relieved than his words would indicate; for he had discovered, during
his brief search, that there was absolutely no hope of ascending any
farther up that blank wall.

"Shake hands, Frank! We're as lucky as ever, I tell you!" said Bob;
and when their hands clasped neither of them