As soon as he had spoken, the descent was renewed and in a brief time the Navajo had taken his place beside George. "Look out!" warned George, his voice trembling as he spoke. "I'm afraid this tree isn't strong enough to hold both of us. I don't think the shelf is, either." The peril was so great and the fear of George so keen that for a moment he trembled violently. The Navajo, however, quickly passed his arm under that of the trembling boy and said soothingly, "There's no need to be scared. This place is plenty strong to hold us both. Just be careful and do what I say." As he spoke Thomas Jefferson removed the noose from beneath his arms and placed it under the arms of the frightened boy. "You get hold," he explained. "I'm afraid I can't help very much," said George. "I've hurt my leg." The Indian made a hasty examination and then shaking his head said, "Not much hurt. You can climb all right." "When shall we start?" demanded George. "As soon as you're ready." "I'm more ready now than I shall be later, I suspect," said George ruefully. "It's the only thing to be done, and, if it is, why, the sooner I begin it the better." Carefully George turned and lying against the ground looked up at the border of the cliff. "Is the rope strong enough to hold us both?" he asked, turning again to the Indian. "Plenty strong," replied Thomas Jefferson. "I shall not take hold. You'll have it all." "How then will you get up there?" demanded George, aghast at the suggestion. "I shall climb. It's not new work for me. I shall be close behind you so that if you fall I may help." "If I fall or the lariat breaks," declared George, "there will be no stopping me. Both of us will go straight to the bottom of the gulch." "Look up all the time," suggested the Indian. "Don't once look behind you. You need not fear for me for I have no fear for myself. Besides Kitoni is very strong. He has taken a purchase around a tree and the rope cannot slip. You are perfectly safe." "Shall I try to climb by using the rope or shall I dig in my fingers and toes and try that way?" "Don't pull on the rope too much," answered the Navajo. "There will be places where you may have to do that. It will be safe to do so for Kitoni will take in all slack, but it will be better if you try to climb." "Here goes then," said George in a low voice as he turned and began the perilous ascent. CHAPTER XII A WRECK John was an expert swimmer but his skill was not of much avail when he plunged headlong into the rushing waters of the Colorado. The boat was moving swiftly when he met with his accident and it was impossible for the Go Ahead Boy to retrace his course and swim directly toward the shore.