The heat beat down from the sun and up from the ground. It was necessary to climb over large blocks of lava. Most of them were solid and probably weighed many tons, but Roger was astonished when he bumped against one as big as a horse and it moved. It seemed to be riddled with small holes like a honeycomb. A mischievous idea came into Roger’s head. He liked to play tricks upon his older brother who was so much stronger and wiser than he. They stopped to rest for a moment. Roger said, ‘Hal, are you all right?’ Hal stared. ‘What do you mean - all right?’ ‘Aren’t you sick or something?’ ‘Of course not. Why?’ ‘Well, you just look so pale and weak. I’m afraid this trip has been too much for your delicate constitution. You look tired out.’ ‘Me tired? You’re crazy. If anybody gets tired it will be you, you little shrimp. We’ll probably have to carry you home on a stretcher.’ ‘Well,’ said Roger, ‘we can easily find out who’s tired. How big a rock can you pick up and throw down the hill?’ Hal looked about him.
