Chapter XIX
VICTIMS OF THE QUAKE
The broad rock upon which the boys stood slid down the declivity for some distance and brought up against a thicket of trees which stood not far from the bank of the creek. The boys were fairly thrown from their feet as the rock struck, but fortunately they were not injured in the least. It was quite dark now, and the dust rising from the disturbed earth made the scene still more dim.
The first thing the boys heard when they scrambled to their feet was a faint moan and then a call for help.
"Sandy! George!" called Will.
There was no answer from above, but a faltering voice was heard just at the edge of the thicket, where the rock had crushed into a hemlock of unusual size.
"Help," the voice said. "Help!"
Will threw his searchlight in the direction of the sound and soon saw a writhing figure in the underbrush which had been crushed down by the fall of the rock.
"Who are you?" asked Will.