It was a terrible question. They were literally in a trap of death.
Cliff was aware of this, and his men made the air hideous with their yells. Closer they crowded the line.
In this extremity Clark regretted having separated himself from the Vigilants and the Steam Man.
But this error had been made, and it was too late to correct it.
But the brave colonel was not long without an expedient.
He called out one of his pluckiest privates, and said:
“Jason, do you want to undertake a ticklish job?”
“I’m ready, sir,” replied the private, with a salute.
“You know we are in a tight box?”
“Yes, sir.”