prevailed, as through the smoke I could
now see all that was going on; Morgan still in the magazine, and
Hannibal standing ready to take the kegs he passed out, while the men,
instead of being in line, had crowded together by the entrance.

"How many more, Morgan?" said my father, calmly, as he backed a little
toward the fiery opening at the end where I could feel the fierce glow
on my back.

"Three more, sir. Shall we leave them and go?"

"Leave them? Come, my men, you can see what you are doing now.
Morgan--Hannibal--the next keg."

It looked to be madness to bring out that keg into a low,
earthen-floored room, one end of which was blazing furiously, with great
tongues of fire darting toward us. But it was done; for Morgan stooped
down and reappeared directly with a keg, which he handed to the great
black, who took it quietly as if there was no danger, but only to have
it snatched excitedly away by the next man, who passed it along the
line.

"Steady, men!" said my father. "Don't make danger by being excited and
dropping one of those barrels."

Those moments seemed to me to be hours. The heat was terrific, and the
back of my neck was scorching as the second and third kegs were handed
out.

"Last," shouted Morgan, with a wild cry of thankfulness.

"Look again," said my father. "Stand fast all."

Morgan dropped down again, and as he did so there was another crash
behind us, a shower of sparks were literally shot into the place, and
one burning ember fell right into the opening of the magazine, to be
followed as Morgan leaped out by a quick sputtering noise, and then the
smell of powder. There was a rush for the door, and we four were alone.

"Only a little loose powder lying about," said Morgan, huskily. "That
was the last. Look out, Master George--quick!"

The task was done, the place saved from hideous ruin by an explosion;
and as the last man rushed from the place, the energy my father had
brought to bear was ended, and I had just time, in response to Morgan's
warning, to save him from falling as he lurched forward.

But there was other help at hand, and we three bore him out fainting
just as a burst of flame, sparks, and burning embers filled the place
where we had stood a minute before, and we emerged weak and staggering,
bearing my father's insensible form out into the bright light shed by
the burning building.

"Bravely done! Bravely done!" we heard on all sides; and then there was
a bu