Do we take the dare; or stay
out here and wait till the fuss is over before entering?"
Bob possibly swallowed hard before replying. It was no easy thing for
him to say the words that would thrust them up against so terrible a
thing as this unknown peril awaiting them in the gloom of that crack of
the great mountain. But his hesitation was brief. In fact, he only
wanted to catch his breath, shut his teeth hard together, and summon
his Kentucky blood.
"It's a go, Frank!" he said, with determination in his voice; "the
chance may never come to us again. Let's go in, and discover for
ourselves the secrets of the Indian god they say is guarding Thunder
Mountain. I'm ready, so lead on!"
CHAPTER XVII
FRANK HOLDS THE HOT STICK
"No hurry," said Frank, who realized that his comrade was worked up to
a high pitch of excitement, and thought it the part of wisdom to do
something in order to quiet Bob's nerves.
"But if we've got to try it, Frank, what's the use of waiting?"
demanded the impetuous one.
"Well, for one thing, we don't want to be carrying these candles
without making use of one, you see," replied Frank, who was again
getting out his handy matchsafe.
"What a silly I am, to be sure," laughed Bob; "why of course we want a
light, if we're going to invade that den of the demon Joe told us
about. What do you think about that yarn, Frank; did he meet up with
anything; or was he just scared out of his seven senses? Perhaps
there's a strong current of air in that place, along with the noise,
and that took hold of Joe.
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