Page:On to Pekin.djvu/336

306 was to be done must be done quickly, or it would be too late.

His eyes rested on the iron end of a cot; and as quickly as possible he smashed the bed apart, and caught up one of the side pieces. Using this as a lever, he pried upon one of the bars of the window, and after great effort succeeded in bending 'it several inches.

"Now try to pull in your head, Polk," he said, and helped the young man. Even yet it was a tight squeeze, but the deed was accomplished with no further harm to the young man than a badly scratched ear.

But just as Nuggy was freed there came a strong rush of wind and a cloud of smoke which enveloped both like a sheet. The fire was coming up the corridor, and had already reached the stairway by which Gilbert had ascended to the ward.

"Wha—what shall we do next? " groaned Nuggy. "We are lost! Oh, Heaven help us!" And, too weak to stand longer, he sank on his knees, and then went into a heap on the floor.

"Come, this won't do!" cried Gilbert, and caught the yoimg man by the arm. "We must get