Part 6 (1/2)
”Nothing new,” Riddle reported. ”The only sign of activity is a fresh outpouring of hydrogen sulfide. It's bubbling up through the mud, and it could be a pocket of gas that was suddenly released. The springs won't tell us much.”
Hartson Brant said thoughtfully, ”I'm afraid you're right, Dave.
Nothing for it but to keep shooting. And we'll lock up the papers at night, so we can keep track of what's going on. One thing we'd better do is start a survey of the entire cone, above the level where our shots give us information. I'd like to be sure we're not overlooking any new gaps or fissures in the mountain itself. But can we do it with the manpower we have available and still keep shooting?”
Rick spoke up. ”I know how we can help, Dad. Scotty and I can handle our stations alone now. That will leave Dr. Zircon free for other things.
Then, if we change stations with Brad Connel, and he takes the closer ones, he can get back a good hour earlier and do other work.”
”No!” Brad Connel exploded.
Hartson Brant and the other scientists looked at him with surprise. ”Why not?” Dr. Brant asked. ”It seems like a sensible suggestion, Brad.”
”It is,” Connel said hurriedly. ”It's just that ... well, maybe I'm still too upset over that accident, but I know the terrain now, and these kids don't. They should stick to the stations where they've been operating, and I'll handle my own. It's just that I don't want any risks whatever. My own part of the mountain is a lot rougher, and they'd be carrying dynamite and caps over pretty bouncy trails. I don't like it. I think we should stick to our own stations.”
The geologist obviously felt strongly about it, and Hartson Brant agreed. ”Since you feel that way, Brad, we'll let things go as they are.
Hobart, can the boys handle the shots?”
”Sure,” Zircon stated. ”As long as Rick doesn't crimp caps with his teeth. Of course if he does we'll still get a reading, but we may lose Rick.”
”No danger,” Rick retorted. ”Besides, you wouldn't get a reading because the shot wouldn't be timed right.”
Hartson Brant saw that the big scientist was joking. ”If Rick feels adventurous he can kick mountain lions for sport instead. I'm told there are some on the mountain.”
”Jaguars,” Dr. Balgos offered. ”Not your typical North American cats.
These are much fiercer. They react faster to a kick--if you can get close enough to kick one.”
Brad Connel laughed heartily. ”The boys can lure 'em with catnip,” he said.
Rick glanced at the geologist. The laugh hadn't rung true.
”I suggest we also save time by shooting in the early morning,” Hartson Brant added. ”That will leave the afternoon for other activities. Jeff, if you can manage to keep your head out of the way of blunt instruments, perhaps you'd like to make a better sketch of the magma front. We can a.s.sign the boys as guards, if you like.”
Dr. Williams caressed the bruise on his head. ”Not necessary, Hartson.
I'll lock my door and keep my face toward the window. But for now, how about dinner?”
There was no disagreement.
After dinner, Rick and Scotty lingered over coffee with Dr. Balgos, Julius Weiss, and Hartson Brant. The others had excused themselves and gone back to their rooms. The boys were trying to learn more about volcanoes, but the scientists had a tendency to get involved in discussions of some of the finer points of geophysics and long minutes would pa.s.s before Rick or Scotty could bring them back to the main point with a question.
In the midst of an interesting discussion of the Hawaiian volcanoes by Dr. Balgos, Honorario burst into the dining room and hurried to the Peruvian scientist. Rick couldn't follow the rapid Spanish, but Balgos jumped to his feet, his face white, and translated swiftly.
”Honorario says all the dynamite is gone!”
CHAPTER VI
Dangerous Trail
The search for the missing dynamite had failed completely. Rick, Scotty, and the scientists were equally puzzled. Why steal dynamite? What was there to be gained?