Together the Americans rushed the portal. The strong oak withstood their united assault without a tremor, however.
“We’ll be killed like rats if we don’t escape!” exclaimed Herc despairingly.
“What are we to do?” gasped Ned, as they stood in the center of the prison, with the sweat streaming from them. Outside the bombardment grew heavier. It seemed incessant now. Suddenly Stanley gave an exclamation. His companions, gazing at him, saw that his cheeks were white.
“Do you smell something?” he choked out.
A pungent odor had filled the air of the prison within the last few minutes.
“Yes, smells like burning,” assented the middy.
“It is burning. The place is on fire.”
“On fire!”
“And burning like a dry haystack. If we’re not out of here in a few minutes we’re goners.”