"That is true," said the professor. "We must get back to the car."
"There's no telling what will become of us if we try that," called Markham.
"And there's no telling what will become of us if we remain here," answered the professor. "If we form a chain, it is quite possible that we may succeed in getting back to our refuge."
"Even the car may not be able to stand up against this wind," clamored Meigs.
"We shall have to take our chances with it, nevertheless," went on Quinn. "If we should get separated, each of us must make the best preparations he can to weather the gale, and then, when it has blown itself out, hunt for the car. That must be our rendezvous during the time we are here."
The professor got up slowly, bracing himself against the fierce swirl that came around the side of the rock.
"Come," he called; "it is now or never."
I could see that the gale had increased alarmingly. Its force seemed irresistible, and yet I knew that we could not remain where we were.
We clasped hands again, but were unable to cling together, being lifted high and thrown helter-skelter in all directions. Lightning flashed—such lightning as I have never seen before or since.
It snapped and crackled overhead and ran like trailing serpents over the rocks. We were in a sea of flame.