Part 67 (1/2)

”It's now or never!” cried Archy frantically, and he rushed into the blue flames, which leaped about his feet and up as if to lick his face

A dozen strides, splashi+ng up blue fire at every step, and he was through it, and where a faint current of cold air see him

Al and yelling after hiues of fire fro_--a couple more explosions, and the men crowded up to Archy, the master included, as if to ask what next

”Are you all here?”

”Ay, ay, sir”

”And that boy?”

”I'o off”

”Yes,” said Archy ”Forward!”

He led the way into the darkness once more, but into an atmosphere which he could breathe Then up the faed steps, and on to the newly lorious light of day streamed

”Now, my lads, cutlasses here That wall's new Four of you work, and loosen the stones, the others take them and throw them back below”

The men cheered, and, headed by Mr Gurr and dick, worked as they had never worked before

The stones were hard to move at first, but it was child's play co one when he attacked the wall First one yielded, then another, and, as they were dragged out, the h steps

With every stone rethened the little party; but as the explosions followed fast, and the flae in which they were penned, Archy closed his eyes for a fewwild

Just then, he knew that soht as he did, for a hand touched his arm, and a voice whispered,--

”It wasn't my fault It must have been Jemmy Dadd I say--case they can't make a way out in ti like a hysterical sob burst fro death as he was just then,--a horrible death which rasped that of his young gaoler--officer and sht each according to his lights

”Hah!” sighed Rao ”Now, then, tell 'em to shove the stones, sharp, and let 'em fall out Quick!

Before the powder ketches”

”Powder?” said Archy in an awe-stricken whisper ”Yes; there's a lot not far froiven, and a new set took the places of those ere groeary, sending the stones out rapidly, till there was rooh first, and show them how to climb on the shelf”

”No, no, you lead, Mr Raystoke,” cried the ,” yelled Archy ”Out with you, Ra so dark before him, and then rapidly one by one thehorribly now below, and explosion after explosion following quickly, the cave rapidly beco a reservoir of fire