Instantly a stream of fire shot out, such as sometimes flashes from a murky cloud in the sky, and, as if it were an echo of the impact, the splash and thunderous thump were heard by the boys at the top.
It was a tempting theme for the imagination, but they were too practical to linger.

Having agreed that the canyon could be readily jumped, they did not hesitate.

Running a few steps, Jack Dudley cleared the passage and landed on the other side, with several feet to spare.

He did not take the trouble to toss his rifle in advance, but kept it in his hand.
"I had a queer feeling," he said, as Fred joined him, "when I was right over the middle of the canyon, and knew, if I had made any miscalculation, I should never stop until pretty well down toward the centre of the earth." "It doesn't take long to do a deal of thinking at such time, but what bothered me was whether I was going to make as good a jump as you.

I believe I beat you by two or three inches." "You wouldn't have done it if I had tried.