He leaped toward the exit from the cave.
“What about those fellows?” asked Folwell, indicating the place where Tom and the others had been tied.
“They'll have to do the best they can! It's every man for himself, now!” yelled Munson. There was a wild scramble from the cavern.
“Come on!” cried Tom. “We must escape! It's our only chance!”
He leaped into the big cave, followed by the others. Already long tongues of electrical fire were shooting out from the walls and roof as Tom Swift and his companions, evading them as best they could, sought safety in flight.
CHAPTER XXV—THE MOUNTAIN SHATTERED—CONCLUSION
“Can't we get some of the diamonds?” cried Mr. Damon, as he raced along behind Tom. “Now's our chance. Those fellows have all gone!” The odd man made a grab for something as he ran.
“It's as much as our lives are worth,” declared the young inventor. “We dare not stop! Come on!”
“I'd like to investigate some of the machinery,” spoke Mr. Jenks, “but I wouldn't stop, even for that.”