Chapter Nine.
Baffled and perplexed—Plans for a rescue.
While the men assembled round the prostrate form of Mr Mason were attempting to rescue him from his state of stupor, poor Corrie began to shew symptoms of returning vitality. A can of water, poured over him by Henry, did much to restore him. But no sooner was he enabled to understand what was going on, and to recall what had happened, than he sprang up with a wild cry of despair, and rushed towards the blazing house. Again Henry’s quick arm arrested a friend in his mad career.
“Oh! she’s there! Alice is there!” shrieked the boy, as he struggled passionately to free himself.
“You can do nothing, Corrie,” said Henry, trying to soothe him.
“Coward!” gasped the boy in a paroxysm of rage, as he clenched his fist and struck his captor on the chest with all his force.
“Hold him,” said Henry, turning to John Bumpus, who at that moment came up.
Bumpus nodded intelligently, and seized the boy, who uttered a groan of anguish as he ceased a struggle which he felt was hopeless in such an iron gripe.