Many were pinned beneath wood, smothered by the
caving earth. The rent was wide and in places the ruin afire. Groans,
cries, appeals shook the hearts of the carnival crowd. All would now
have helped, but it was not possible for many. There must be strength
to descend into the pit and work there.
A beam pinned a man more than near a creeping flame. The two Scots
beat out that fire. Glenfernie heaved away the beam, Ian drew out the
man, badly hurt, moaning of wife and child. Glenfernie lifted him,
mounted with him, over heaped debris, by uncertain ledge and step,
until other arms, outstretched, could take him. Turning back, he took
from Ian a woman's form, lifted it forth. Down again, the two worked
on. Others were with them, there was made a one-minded ring, folly
forgot.
At last it seemed that all were rescued. A few men only moved now in
the hollow, peering here and there. The fire had taken headway; the
gulf, it was evident, would presently be filled with flame. The heat
beat back those at the rim. "Come out! Come out, every one!" The
rescuers began to clamber forth.
Came down a roaring pile of red-lit timbers, with smoke and sparks. It
blocked the way for Alexander and Ian. Turning, here threatened a
pillar of choking murk, red-tongued. Behind them was a gaping, narrow
archway. Involuntary recoil before that stinging push of smoke brought
them in under this.
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