"Something has happened to Peg!" he exclaimed. "Perhaps the guide has
thrown him over, and he's lost, and scared nearly to death!"
But Frank was more accustomed to reading voices in the open than was
his chum.
"No, you're wrong there!" he cried, "that's Spanish Joe yelping; and he
must be in a bad hole to call for his companions. Come on, Bob, we've
just got to see what we can do to help him. Rascal that he is, he's
human. Follow me!"
CHAPTER XV
SPANISH JOE DROPS A CLUE
"Where can he be, Frank?" cried Bob, after they had been climbing for
several minutes up the side of the rough mountain, almost groping their
way, such was the darkness around them.
"Listen!"
"Help! Nick, this way, quick, or I'll go under!" came a shrill shout,
only a little way above them.
They started for the spot; but before they had taken half a dozen steps
once more the thunderous sound was heard; and under them the mountain
quivered. As the boys were not more than human, it was only natural
that they should halt until the convulsion had passed. Bob could not
help clutching a spur of rock as though he feared that something
dreadful was about to happen.
As the roaring noise began to die out the boys caught the cries of
Spanish Joe once again. He seemed to be nearly frantic with fear, and
was calling upon his cowboy crony not to forsake him in his extremity.
"It's going to tumble on me the next shake! Hurry, Nick, or I'm a
goner!" they heard him pleading.
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