"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."
"The storm is too dangerous," called Bill Renshaw. "I can show
you a shorter way out than the one those fellows have taken.
Follow me."
"No way can be too short," said Mr. Parker, solemnly. "This
mountain will go to pieces shortly, I think!"
Tom shuddered. He remembered how narrow had been their escape
when Earthquake Island sank into the sea. And that some terrific
upheaval was now imminent might be judged from the awful reports
that sounded more plainly as the adventurers raced toward the
opening of the cave. It was like the bombardment of some doomed
city.
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