We must start the work of rescue at once. We
must go back to camp and get all the help we
can muster."
The storm, indeed, seemed to be over, but it
was no easy matter to get back over the soggy,
rain-soaked ground to the trail they had left to
take shelter in the forest. Fortunately the earthquake
had not involved that portion where they
had left their mules, but most of the frightened
animals had broken loose, and it was some little
time before they could all be caught.
"It is no use to try to get back to camp to-
night," said Tom, when the last of the pack and
saddle animals had been corralled. "It is getting
late and there is no telling the condition of the
trail. We must stay here until morning."
"But what about them?" and Mr. Damon
nodded in the direction of the entombed ones.
"We can help them best by waiting until the
beginning of a new day," said the professor. "We
shall need a large force, and we could not bring
it up to-night. Besides, Tom is right, and if we
tried to go along the trail after dark, torn and
disturbed as it is bound to be by the rain, we
might get into difficulties ourselves. No, we
must camp here until morning and then go for
help."
They all decided finally this was best. The
professor, too, pointed out that their rivals were
in a large and roomy cave, not likely to suffer
from lack of air nor food or water, since they
must have supplies with them.
"The only danger is that the cave has been
crushed in," added Tom; "but in that event we
would be of no service to them anyhow.
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