“Those fellows certainly know what they want,” said Sam Rover to his two brothers. “What are we to do about it?” All efforts to locate the boys had failed and their fathers were frantic, not knowing how to turn or what to do next.
In the meantime Mr. Renton and Mr. Parkhurst, the heavy stockholders in the Rolling Thunder mine, had reached Maporah and there had a short but effective interview with Tom Rover.
“I’ll take charge of things here,” declared Mr. Renton, when he had heard about the boys being held for ransom. “I think I know exactly how to handle Garrish. You go ahead and look for those kids. Garrish won’t get away from me, and neither will the Rolling Thunder mine.” And thereupon Tom turned matters over to the other stockholders who had agreed to act with him.
The water brought to them by Ocker satisfied the boys’ thirst but it did not allay their hunger, and as hour after hour passed and none of their captors presented himself, the lads began to grow desperate.
“I wish I had an ax! I’d try to smash down those logs,” declared Andy. “We might be able to make a rush for it in the dark.”
“I’ve got an idea! I wonder we didn’t think of it before,” said Jack in a low tone. “Here, Randy and Andy, stand back to back and give me a chance to climb up on your shoulders. When I’m up there, Fred, you hand me the lantern. I’m going to inspect those cracks overhead and see if I can’t find some sort of an opening up there.”
The young major, having removed his shoes, was soon standing upright on the shoulders of the twins. Fred passed up the lantern, and Jack had the twins move slowly from one part of the rocky cavern to another.
For a long while Jack found nothing that looked promising, but presently he discovered a stone that seemed to be loose. He told those below to be on the watch and pulled and tugged at the bowlder with all his might. It came down with a crash and a number of loose stones and some dirt followed. Jack immediately leaped down and threw himself on the ground, the others following his example.
“Hi there! What are you fellows doing?” came from the entrance to the cave in Jackson’s voice.