Few words, were spoken, for the thought that was in the minds of all was not one to be lightly discussed, nor could they form the sentences to frame the thought itself.
"I reckon it's about time we heard something from Jess," suggested Tony after a long silence.
Frank consulted his watch anxiously.
The men relapsed into silence again. But somehow the deadly stillness seemed to get on their nerves and one by one they rose and began pacing back and forth on the narrow platform of rock that hung over the great canyon.
Suddenly the earth began to tremble beneath their feet.
They grasped the projecting rocks fearful that they would be thrown over the precipice.
A great sheet of flame lighted up the sky. And a report that seemed as if earth and sky had suddenly been rent asunder crashed on their expectant ears, and went thundering off from mountain peak to mountain peak.
"Get inside!" commanded Frank sharply.
They obeyed the summons in the nick of time, for in a few seconds more a rain of rocks and debris began to shower down on the ledge in front of them.