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.He was very much excited."It's awful!" he cried."The lightning is striking all over! Big rocks arebeing split like logs of wood!""Well, it can't do any damage in here," said Munson."We are well protected.Get on one of the plates," and he motioned to one of the hardrubber platformsthat was not occupied.The roar and rumble of the storm outside had givenplace to short terrific crashes.In their small cave the adventurers couldfeel the solid ground shake.A bluish light began dancing about the electrical wires.There was a smell ofPage 66ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlsulphur in the air.Crash after crash resounded outside.A flash of flame litup the whole interior of the cave.It came from the copperTom Swift Among the Diamond MakersCHAPTER XXIV IN GREAT PERIL75switch."Something's wrong with the insulation!" cried Munson."Don't go near it!" yelled Folwell."If you value your life, stand still!"Hardly had he spoken than inside the cavern there sounded a report like thatof a small cannon.A big ball of fire danced about the middle of the cave andthen leaped on top of the steel box."This is a fearful storm," cried Munson.The adventurers in the cave did not know what to say or do.They were indeadly peril.Suddenly there came a crash louder than any that had preceded it.The wholeside of the cave where the switches were was a mass of bluish flame.Then camea ripping, tearing sound, and a tangle of wires and copper connections werethrown to the floor.At the same time the steel box, containing the materialsfrom which diamonds were made, turned blue, and flames shot from it."It's all up with us!" cried Munson."Run for it, everybody! The wires aredown, and this place will be an electric furnace in another minute!"He leaped toward the exit from the cave."What about those fellows?" asked Folwell, indicating the place where Tom andthe 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 ofelectrical fire were shooting out from the walls and roof as Tom Swift and hiscompanions, evading them as best they could, sought safety in flight.CHAPTER XXV THE MOUNTAIN SHATTEREDCONCLUSION"Can't we get some of the diamonds?" cried Mr.Damon, as he raced along behindTom."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 darenot stop! Come on!""I'd like to investigate some of the machinery," spoke Mr.Jenks, "but Iwouldn't stop, even for that.""The storm is too dangerous," called Bill Renshaw."I can show you a shorterway out than the one those fellows have taken.Follow me.""No way can be too short," said Mr.Parker, solemnly."This mountain will goto pieces shortly, I think!"Tom shuddered.He remembered how narrow had been their escape when EarthquakeIsland sank into the sea.And that some terrific upheaval was now imminentmight be judged from the awful reports that sounded more plainly as theadventurers raced toward the opening of the cave.It was like the bombardmentof someTom Swift Among the Diamond MakersCHAPTER XXV THE MOUNTAIN SHATTEREDCONCLUSION76doomed city.Mr.Jenks and Tom cast one longing look behind at the complicated andexpensive machinery that had been installed in the cave by the diamond makers.They had abandoned it, and in it lay the secret of making precious gems.Butthere was no time to stop now, and investigate."This way," urged Bill Renshaw."We'll soon be out."Page 67ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"But won't it be dangerous to go outside?" asked Mr.Damon."Shan't we bestruck by lightning? There is some protection in here.""None at all," said Mr.Parker, quickly."This mountain is a natural lightningrod.To stay here in this cave will be sure death when the storm gets directlyover it.And that will be very soon.We must get on insulated ground [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]