CHAPTER IV
A CLOSE SHAVE
Frank Allen was not one to give up easily. He continued to strive to free the snared foot, his efforts being accentuated by the fierce heat of the roaring furnace that ate its way through the tons on tons of combustibles. In his extremity he shouted at the top of his voice, at the same time doubtful whether his cries could reach outside of the barn, with all that noise of crackling flames and roaring draughts. Still he continued to call.
"Help! Help!"
Although calling for assistance, the youth did not cease his frantic efforts to dislodge his trapped foot. He knew only too well what a slender chance there was that any one should be close enough to hear his cries and come to his rescue, even in the doubtful event of being able to get through the flames.
Then what was close to an inspiration flashed through his excited brain, and he lost no time in trying anew to break loose.
Luckily, he was able to bend over far enough to get at his shoe. With eager fingers he tore the laces open, and then made a last desperate effort to free his right foot.
A thrill ran through the boy when he found that he could draw the foot out of his shoe! He was saved—least, he was given a fresh chance to escape the dreadful fate that threatened to overwhelm him!
Sensible even in such a situation, Frank next tore his shoe loose, and managed to get it on after a fashion. Then he turned away from the furious blast of fire and groped through the dense smoke, heading he knew not in which direction, only that he was fending off the threatening catastrophe a little longer by fleeing.