Reuben tottered to his feet. His face was black, and he was still half stunned by the explosion.
"Harry!" cried Naomi—and then fainted.
The smoke clouds were lifting, and now everyone could see a smouldering object that lay close to the hole, among bits of wood and stone.
Reuben ran towards it, Ditch and Realf followed him. The others huddled stupidly together like sheep.
"His clothes are still burning—here, help me, you!" cried Reuben, beating at the flames with his hands.
"He's dead," said Realf.
"Oh Lord!" wailed Ditch—"Oh Lord!"
"He's bin hit on the head wud a piece of wood. I reckon he died painlessly. All this came afterwards."
"Wipe the blood off his face."