The result would almost surely be to smash the machinery, and in that out of the way part of the world it would be by no means easy to repair it.
All these misgivings and fears assailed the explorers.
Frank Reade, Jr., was usually possessed of iron nerves.
But if ever there was a time in his life when those nerves were sorely tried, it was now.
It did not seem to him possible that the Steam Man could escape unharmed.
“My soul!” he gasped, as he staggered on. “We are lost!”
Indeed, it seemed true.
Yet the explorers ran on, hoping at every turn to see the Steam Man all safe and sound.
But they seemed doomed to disappointment.
Suddenly a terrible cry went up from Barney.