Unwillingly, the miners picked up their tools and slowly descended into the pit. Rhodes remained above, his revolver held in readiness.
Mechanically, the miners worked, now and then raising their eyes fearfully to the towering rock above them. As their crowbars failed to dislodge even powdery dust from above, they relaxed somewhat.
Presently a pocket of emeralds was uncovered. In great excitement, Rhodes rushed down to examine the gems. All were small and of poor color.
“This vein is playing out!” he exclaimed wrathfully.
Pocketing the gems, he started to climb the rough rock steps. Watching from above, the Scouts saw him halt to re-examine the emeralds.
“Rhodes seems determined to get everything he can from this pit without loss of time,” Mr. Livingston remarked in a low tone.
Jack nodded. He had raised his eyes to the wall of rock above the engineer. Suddenly he was struck with horror! A new crack, much deeper than the other, had formed.
Even as he gazed in sick fascination, it widened and moved horizontally, like a runner in a silk stocking.
Jarred to a realization of the danger, he shouted a hoarse warning to the engineer below.
“A slide! Run for your life!”