Turning, they fled down the
steep side of the mountain, slipping and stumbling, but taking
care not to step on any iron ore. Behind them flashed the
lightning bolts.
Suddenly there was a most awful crash. It seemed as if the end
of the world had come, and the ear drums of Tom and his
companion almost burst with the fearful report. The concussion
knocked them down, and they lay stunned for a moment.
Following the terrible report there was a low, rumbling sound.
Hardly knowing whether he was dead or alive, Tom opened his eyes
and looked about him. What he saw caused him to cry out in
terror.
The whole mountain seemed bathed in fire. Great blue, red and
green flashes played around it. Then the towering cliff seemed to
melt and crumble up, and the great peak, the top of it containing
the diamond makers' cave, from which they had fled but a few
minutes before, the entire summit was toppled over into the
valley on the other side, and in the direction opposite to that
where the adventurers stood.
Then came a profound silence, and the lightning ceased. The
storm was over, and only the rattle of stones and boulders, as
they came to rest in the valley below, reached the ears of our
friends.
"Phantom Mountain has been destroyed, just as I said it would
be," spoke Mr. Parker, solemnly.
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