Even as she spoke, Mrs. Vernon slipped off the plaid skirt and began pulling at the belt. But it was well-sewed and would not give way.
“Here, let me chew open some of the stitches,” said Joan.
“No, no! I have an idea—let me burn the threads with the candle-flame,” called Julie.
“Good! Now touch it right there,” said the Captain, as she held the belt over the flame.
In a few moments, the scorched and smoking skirt belt gave way to the strength of the pull Mrs. Vernon used on it, and once the stitching began, it easily ripped across the entire width.
“That scorching also reminds me, girls! I’ve heard said that smoking wool will revive a fainting person. We will try it as soon as we have him out of this smothering place,” said the Captain.
An impromptu stretcher was then contrived of the skirt, and the three bearers lifted the unconscious man upon it. They managed to carry the form over to the spot where Betty and Ruth held the lights, but the moment Ruth saw the gash on the head, and the blood trickling from it, she screamed and clung to Betty.
“Don’t, Ruth—don’t hang on to me like that!” wailed Betty. “I’m going to faint, if you don’t let go of me!”
“Betty Lee! You’d better not!” cried Julie, desperately.
“We haven’t time to hold you up and try to revive you,” added Joan.