Flash shouldered his camera. At a fast pace they started down the hillside.
Reaching the boat, Rascomb tried once more to start the motor and failed. For the first time he displayed anxiety.
“I’ll feel safer when we are beyond the pass,” he said, seizing the oars. “But the current should take us down fairly fast.”
Rascomb rowed tirelessly, refusing to allow Flash or Doyle to relieve him. He sent the boat forward in powerful spurts. They swept around a curve of the river.
A gasp of horror escaped from Doyle who sat in the bow. Rascomb stopped rowing.
Directly ahead lay Gersham’s Pass. And on either shore, lining the narrow space, rose walls of flame.
There was a moment of stunned silence. Then Rascomb spoke.
“Well, boys, we’re trapped if we stay here. Only one thing to do! We must wet our clothing and try to run through it!”
CHAPTER XVI
DOYLE’S TREACHERY
Flash and Doyle stared in sheer fascination at the sight before their eyes. Even as they recognized the danger, their pulses quickened at the possibility of a spectacular picture of the flaming pass.