The Cave in the Mountain, by Lieut. R.H. Jayne. Copyright 1894.
Sequel to In the Pecos Country
A Western Adventure about a Cave. And a Mountain. And Indians. And Spalpeens.
An excerpt:
It was hardly dark when Fred Munson carefully shoved the end of the rope over the edge of the opening, and let it descend slowly, gently and noiselessly to the bottom, permitting it to pass through his hands in such a way that he could tell the instant it was disturbed. When he knew that it had struck, he waited for a “bite.”
To his astonishment, it came within the next five minutes. He was startled by feeling a decided pull repeated several times.
The situation was so delicately critical that it would not do to speak nor whisper, nor even to utter their whistle, no matter how cautiously made. So, by way of reply, Fred gave the lasso several responsive jerks, intended to signify that everything was ready, and his friend might come ahead.
A moment later the lariat was jerked from his hand, showing that a heavy weight had suddenly fastened upon it, and the man was making his way upward from the cave.
According to this site, Lieutenant RH Jayne was one of many pseudonyms for Edward Sylvester Ellis (4/11/1840 - 6/20/1916), an educator as well as prolific author of fiction and history aimed at youth.