the time right."

We turned off the ruined way; raced over the sward.

"If it looks as though--we can't make it," he panted,
"YOU beat it after the rest. I'll try to hold 'em until you
get into the tunnel. Never do for 'em to get Ruth."

"Right." My own breathing was growing labored, "WE'LL
hold them. Drake can take care of Ruth."

"Good boy," he said. "I wouldn't have asked you. It
probably means death."

"Very well," I gasped, irritated. "But why borrow
trouble?"

He reached out, touched me.

"You're right, Walter," he grinned. "It does--seem--like
carrying coals--to Newcastle."

There was a thunderous booming behind us; a shattering
crash. A cloud of smoke and dust hung over the northern
end of the ruined fortress.

It lifted swiftly, and I saw that the whole side of the
structure had fallen, littering the road with its fragments.
Scattered prone among these were men and horses; others
staggered, screaming. On the farther side of this stony dike