Part 66 (2/2)

”Ay, ay,” shouted the men, who the moment before were mad with terror, but who leaped at the command as if their safety were assured

”No, no!” shouted theexploded; and in the flash of flaht

”Yes, sir, yes!” shouted the men

”I tell you no,” cried Archy; ”we should be burned or suffocated long before we could get that open”

And, as in i with one another to get to the trap-door, which remained obstinately closed, he clapped his hand on Mr Gurr's shoulder

”I know another way,” he cried ”Follow me”

”Hurrah!” yelled the men, and the lad had taken a dozen steps toward the pool of fire, when a wild shout came from near the entrance

”All! Who's that?” cried Archy, as heleft behind

”Don't leave a poor fellow to be burnt to death, Mr Raystoke,” cried a fa back to where the boy lay bound behind a pile of stones, forgotten for the time, and unheeded by his companions

”Yes, it's me,” said the boy excitedly

”Quick! Get up Can you walk?” said Archy, cutting him free

”Yes,” cried the lad

”Then coe,” whispered Ram ”That's the only way now”

”Yes Follow iven the command when there was another explosion, a fresh flash of fire, which nearly reached theues of flaht

But this fresh explosion--one of which he knew scores must now rapidly follow--checked him for the moment, and he saw that Ram had disappeared

”It's our only chance, my lads,” cried Archy ”Are you all ready?”

”Ay, ay”

”Hold your breath, then, as you get to the fire, and follow h that blaze, my lad?” whispered the master

”Yes Don't stop to talk Now, then,” roared Archy, ”come on!”

”Hurrah!” cried the men wildly; and Archy dashed forward, but was thrown back, and had to retreat, as a fresh keg exploded and added to the size of the pool, now almost a river of fire many yards wide