CHAPTER XXIV
THE LEAKING TANKS
Like a bird descending from some dizzy height, the Vulture landed close
to the pool of black water. It was a small lake and the darkness must
have been caused by its depth, for later when they took some out in a
glass it was as clear as a crystal. Then, too, there might have been
black rocks on the bottom.
"Can it he possible that we are here at last?" cried Tom, above the
noise of the gale, for the wind was blowing at a terrific rate. But our
friends knew better now how to adjust themselves to it, and the lake was
down in a valley, the sides of which cut off the power of the gale. As
for the glider it was only necessary to equalize the balance and it
would remain stationary in any wind.
"This is the place! This is the place!" cried Ivan Petrofsky. "Don't you
remember, Peter?"
"Indeed I do! I have good cause to! This is where we found the
platinum!"
"Bless my soul!" cried Mr. Damon. "Where is it, in the lake?"
"The mine itself is just beyond that barrier of broken and twisted
trees," replied the elder Russian brother. "It is an irregular opening
in the ground, as though once, centuries ago, an ancient people tried to
get out the precious metal. We will go to it at once."
"But it is getting late," objected Ned.
"No matter," said Tom.
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