Then placing the explosive in the truck he asked Mr. McKay to take the time.
"It's set for four minutes," he announced. "Half-a-minute will be quite enough, so at three and a half minutes from the time the fuse is lit I'll cut the rope and off she'll go."
"Stand back, you fellows! If it goes wrong we need not all be blown sky-high. Are you ready? Stand by!"
The fuse began to hiss and splutter. Ellerton, knife in hand, kept his eyes fixed on Mr. McKay, who, standing fifty yards off, held his watch before him.
"Precious long three and a half minutes," thought the lad.
It was not a pleasant task standing within two yards of a highly-charged explosive. More than once he felt tempted to cut the rope and let the truck go.
"Time?" he shouted huskily, for his heart seemed literally in his throat.
"No, not yet," replied Mr. McKay.
Realising the strain on the plucky youth, he began to walk slowly in the direction of the truck.
"Stand back, sir!"