Charley led the way around the pool and when they got to the hut Dick saw that a stout post ten feet high had been driven into the ground with big notches cut into it. In the hut were axes, crowbars and other tools; also a great roll of canvas and various other things. Charley explained that he found the lantern here. “Looks to me as though some one had brought all these things here for the express purpose of capturing old P. D.,” said Dick, “but they have been here a long while, Charley.” “For several years,” said Doctor Dan. “Strange that I never heard of this and I thought I knew the Bad Lands pretty well, too.” “Some one has tried it,” said Charley; “probably the pool is a regular hangout for this particular Plesiosaurus. There must be some connection with the underground river and the lake. I believe the scheme was to make a slip noose, drop it around old P. D.’s neck and tie him up to the post here until such time as some means could be found of getting him out.” “It would never work,” said Doctor Dan. “I’m not so sure,” said Dick. “We might succeed in tying him, anyway, and keeping him here in the pool till we could get help.” “Let’s try it, Dick,” said Charley, eagerly. “I go in for it.” “I think it might be done,” said Clara. “What a strange looking creature it is to be sure! Anyone could make their fortune by exhibiting it in the States.” “It will never be exhibited if we succeed in snaring it,” said Dick. “It belongs to the Smithsonian the moment it comes into our hands.” “What do you say, doctor?” he added. “Shall we try it on?” “I’m at your service, boys,” replied the Indian. “I can throw a lasso as well as any man alive and I think I ought to be able to drop a noose around that fellow’s neck, but, before we begin I think we had better see how we are going to get out of here. I want to take a look over these rocks.” “There’s a trail down the mountain--pretty steep, but still a trail,” declared Charley. One glance showed them that he was right. The trail was indeed steep and it had a strangely smooth and worn appearance, especially at a point where there was a break in the rocks and where it seemed to begin. “Oh, he’s lifting up his head!” cried Clara. “He’s waking up!” The Plesiosaurus perhaps had been disturbed by the loud talking. Slowly the great head came up through the water, rose above the surface and surveyed the party with its huge eyes in a fashion which seemed to show a decided bump of curiosity. Suddenly its mouth opened and the monster let out one mighty bellow which made the rocks around fairly ring. Clara screamed in terror, but old P. D. drew his head down in a dignified way and tucked it under his body again. “I could have lassoed him then!” cried Doctor Dan. “Pity we didn’t have the rope ready.” “We’ll get it ready right away,” said Dick, “for he may take a notion to have another look at us any moment. I wonder if this post will hold.”