avy door open.

Instantly, a volume of black smoke drove both the men back, almost
suffocating them. They could not speak; but each knew that the
re-closing of that iron door was all-important, for the fire had got
nearer to it than Dale had imagined.

They both darted forward; but were again driven back, and had to rush to
the open air for breath. Frank recovered before his comrade, in
consequence of the latter having made a more strenuous and prolonged
effort to close the door which he had so unfortunately opened.

Without a moment's hesitation, he sprang into the warehouse again;
regained and partially closed the door, when the stifling smoke choked
him, and he fell to the ground. A few seconds later, Dale followed him,
and found him there. Applying his great strength with almost superhuman
energy to the door, it shut with a crash, and the communication between
the buildings was cut off! Dale then seized Frank by the collar, and
dragged him into the open air, when he himself almost sank to the
ground. Fresh air, however, soon restored them both, and in a few
minutes they were actively engaged at another part of the building.

Bravely and perseveringly though this was done, it availed not, for
nothing could withstand the fury of the fire. The warehouse caught, and
was soon a glowing mass like the others, while the flames raged with
such violence that their roaring drowned the shouting of men, and the
more distant roar of the innumerable multitude that densely covered
London Bridge, and clustered on every eminence from which a safe view of
the great fire could be obtained.

The floating fire-engines had now been at work for some time, and the
men in charge of their branches were suffering greatly from the intense
heat. About this time, nearly seven o'clock in the evening, Mr
Braidwood went to these men to give them a word of encouragement. He
proceeded down one of the approaches to the river from Tooley Street,
and stopped when nearly half way to give some directions, when a sudden
and tremendous explosion, took place, shaking the already tottering
walls, which at this place were of great height. A cry was raised,
"Run! the wall is falling!" Every one sprang away at the word. The
wall bulged out at the same time; and one of the firemen, seeing that
Mr Braidwood was in imminent danger, made a grasp at him as he was
springing from the spot; but the heavy masses of brick-work dashed him
away, and, in anot