He had gone up for it, fearful that the fire might consume it before it fastened upon him.
Come what would he was bound that they should go together.
“Jerusalem and the Prophets, I’m killed, I know I am. Plague take the smoke. I missed the top round and down I come kerwollups.”
“You have nigh about killed me, anyway,” exclaimed Sam. “You fell right acrost my back. I hope you’ll be able to take that pack to the other world with you.”
“Sho! you don’t say so. Well, I can’t say—”
What more he would have said there is no knowing, but the smoke just then set him into a fit of coughing, so the rest of it was lost.
It was a terrible moment.
Above and around them the red flames were crackling; their forked tongues eating their way into where they were. Without, the howling savages were waiting for them to come forth to meet as terrible a fate.
Nothing could save them but the prayed-for rain from heaven.
Would it never come?