"Wampus is making ready for the escape," he continued.

"He has cleared the road and the way is now open if we can manage to get to the machine.

Has your plan matured yet ?" Patsy shook her head.
"Not yet, Uncle," she replied.
"Couldn't Wampus throw us a rope ?" inquired the Major.
"He could," said Uncle John; "but we would be unable to use it.

Those terrible cactus spines are near enough to spear anyone who dared try to slide down a rope.

Think of something else." They all tried to do that, but no practical idea seemed forthcoming.
"Oh, no," Dan'l was saying to Myrtle; "dey are nod afraid to shoot; bud dey vill nod shoot ladies, belief me.