"I'm glad we're all agreed," said Benton with a gratified smile. "Now then let's pitch in and get the thing started. There's a good deal to be done, and we've got to be especially careful about connecting the explosives with the wire so that there won't be any fizzle when the time comes. We'll work in relays and stand guard turn and turn about. We've got to keep a strict watch, for while I don't think they'll attack us before nightfall, you never can tell."
They started in to work at once, and toiled under the tropical sun until the perspiration rolled from them in streams. By the early afternoon, the work was completed to their satisfaction. The mine was laid, as was also the wire leading through a narrow trench to the cave, where it was connected with the battery of the radio set. Great care was taken to restore the ground to its former apparent condition, for although it was unlikely that in the night it would be under special scrutiny they could afford to take no chances. Leaves were scattered over the pit and the path of the wire, and by the time they were through they could not themselves have detected anything unusual in the appearance of the ground.
"A good job," pronounced Benton, as he scanned it with a critical eye. "Now let them come as soon as they like, and I imagine they'll go away quicker than they came. That is, those of them who can get away."
The boys in their turn at sentry duty had seen nothing suspicious. Not an unusual sound or sight had come within their range, though they had watched and listened with the intensity of those who knew that their lives might pay the forfeit of the least carelessness.
Nature too seemed to have relapsed into quiet. The mountain still smoked and there were occasional rumblings, while at times the earth trembled. But the giant of the volcano, if not sleeping soundly was at least dozing, and the boys took heart of hope from this circumstance. Human enemies they might fight, but before the unleashed forces of nature they were helpless.
Bimbo had prepared a good meal, and the boys after their hard work fell to with zest.
"Lay into it, boys," said Benton approvingly. "Hungry men can't fight well. It was Napoleon you know who said that an army was like a snake--it moved along on its stomach."