The fearful concussion and their lack of knowledge of what was happening scared and shocked them half out of their wits. Gravel and small rocks fell about them. If it had not been for their broad-brimmed Scout hats, which protected the back of their heads, they would have been cut and bruised by the hail of débris.
“You can get up now,” came Mr. Raynor’s voice presently, “but I don’t mind saying that that was about as narrow a squeak as I’ve ever experienced.”
“It sure was a test hole,” muttered Tubby; “it tested me all right and I don’t want any more of it.”
“What on earth happened?” demanded Rob, brushing dirt and dust from his uniform.
“That’s what I’d like to know,” said Fred.
“I thought the world was coming to an end,” declared Merritt.
“Or a giant cocoanut was blowing up,” murmured Tubby.
At that moment Ram came running up. He looked embarrassed and dabbed at a small cut on his forehead with a handkerchief.
“Him hurte you?” he asked rather anxiously, looking askance at Mr. Raynor.
“More good luck than thanks to you that we were not all killed,” declared the engineer angrily. “What made you do it, you rascal?”