think there will be an earthquake?" asked Tom.

"Because I can hear the rumbling beneath the ground at this very minute.
It is increasing in volume, showing that the tremors are working this
way. There will soon be a great subterranean upheaval! Listen for
yourself."

Tom cast himself down on the grass. Placing his ear close to the ground
he did hear a series of dull thuds. He arose, not a little alarmed.
There had never been any earthquakes in Shopton, yet he had great
respect for Mr. Parker's scientific attainments.

Just then Eradicate Sampson came along. He saw Tom and Mr. Parker lying
flat on the ground, and surprise showed on his honest, black face.

"Fo' de land sakes!" cried Eradicate. "What am de mattah now, Massa
Tom?"

"Earthquake coming," answered Tom, briefly. "Better get away from the
buildings, Rad. They might fall!" Tom's face showed the alarm he felt.
What would happen to all of his valuable machines--to the Red Cloud?

"Earthquake?" murmured Eradicate, and he, too, cast himself down to
listen. A moment later he arose with a laugh.

"What's the matter?" cried Tom.

"Why, dat ain't no earthquake!" declared the colored man.

"No. Then perhaps you know what it is," said Mr. Parker, somewhat
sharply.

"Course I knows what it am," answered Eradicate, with dignity. "Dat
noise am my mule Boomerang, kickin' in his stable, on account oh me not
feedin' him yet. Dat's what it am. I'se gwine right now t' gib him his
oats, and den yo' see dat de noise stop. Boomerang allers kick dat way
when he's hungry. I show yo'!"

And, sure enough, when Eradicate had gone to the mule's stable,
which was near where Mr. Parker had heard the mysterious sounds, they
immediately ceased.

"Dat mule was all de earthquake dere was around here," said the colored
man as he came out.

Mr. Parker walked away, saying nothing, and Tom did not make any
comments--just then.

CHAPTER VIII--OFF FOR THE WEST

It was a great relief to Tom, to find that there was no danger from an
earth tremor. Now that he had made up his mind to go in search of
the diamond makers, he wanted nothing to interfere with it. Lest the
feelings of Mr. Parker might be hurt by the mistake he had made, the
young inventor cautioned Eradicate not to say anything more about the
matter.

"'Deed an' I won't," the colored man promised. "I'se only too glad dere
wa'n't no earthquake, dat's what I is."

As for Mr. Parker, he did not appear much put out