Barely a few seconds later there was a terrific crash as the forest giant fell to the ground. It literally shook the earth, so violently did it strike.
“A narrow escape!” breathed Bob. “Wouldn’t have been much left of us if that had struck us.”
The youths were a little to one side of the safari and were falling behind. Realizing this, they hurried to catch up.
But just at that moment Bob’s foot caught in a creeper, and he sprawled to the ground before he could catch himself. When he fell he took Joe with him, and together they rolled over on the wet carpet of leaves and twigs.
“Hurry!” urged Joe, shouting to make himself heard. “The others are far ahead of us.”
He helped his friend to his feet and then started off toward where he thought the safari should be. But Bob called him back.
“I—I can’t make it, I guess,” Bob said, wincing with pain. “Sprained my ankle.”
Joe bent over anxiously and felt of the injured foot.
“Isn’t broken and doesn’t seem to be dislocated,” he said, straightening up. “Can’t you walk at all?”