“I’ll go down this time,” said Jack, and did so. A torch had been brought along, and sticking it in a crack of the rocks, the youth went to work with a will.
In less than half an hour the ponies were again loaded with gold. Jack had picked up almost the last piece in sight when he came to a sudden pause in his work.
What was that strange sound, and was it possible the earth beneath him was trembling? He leaped back to the center of the hole. Yes, the earth was surely quaking, and now some loose dirt came down on top of him.
“It is the earthquake!” he murmured, and at that moment came a loud cry from Plum.
“Jack! Jack! come up, as quick as yeou can! The water is squirting up through ’em holes, an’ the lake is filling up!”
Chapter XXX
A Ride for Life--Conclusion
The earthquake was indeed upon them, and as Plum threw down a rope to Jack the whole landscape seemed to rock to and fro, causing the Yankee lad to miss his footing and pitch headlong on our hero’s head.
“Oh, Jack, did I hurt you?” spluttered Plum, as he stood upright at the bottom of the hole.
Jack did not answer, for at that instant the earth shook again, sending them both on their backs. Then all became, for the instant, quiet.