“Look at it smoke.”
It was Bob’s voice, breaking the silence.
At once the others gave tongue, too, and the air was filled with their exclamations.
For out of the truncated top of the mountain was pouring a thick black smoke, not of any great density, in reality, as yet, but still pronounced.
“Is that a signal fire, or something like that, by any chance, Dad?” asked Jack.
Mr. Hampton shook his head. His face was grave.
“That’s a volcano,” he said. “You know some of the most active volcanoes in the world are located in the Andes. And the whole Andine region is subject to earthquakes. The tremors are felt far out at sea, and when a great earthquake occurs, it is usually accompanied by a tidal wave that wreaks destruction along the Chilian and Peruvian coast. Valparaiso practically was wiped out by a tidal wave not so many years ago.”
“Does that look as if it would erupt soon, Mr. Hampton?” Frank anxiously inquired.
Mr. Hampton shook his head, doubtfully.
“I don’t know. But I do not believe so,” he said. “What do you think, Don Ernesto?”