The Lamar register., 1920-02-18

labored putting of pumping engines IT
sounded plainly even above the roar
Of the flames. Reilly's hands closed
convulsively on the edge of the tank
"Oh. my Godv he groaned involnn.
tarily.
Beside him Kerrigan moved uneasily
in the water
"Td like to get out of this" he as
serted stolidly.
There was something so very mat
ter-of-fact in the tones that Reilly
burst into raucous laughter-the harsh
grating laughter of man who is
about to die horribly, and who knows
II.
II seemed TO nettle kerrigan. There
ain't nothin' funny about it," he said.
II mean 1t. l want to get out of this I;
an. what's more, l want to get you
out. too. wouldn't give damn TO
get out without you"
Reilly seemed not to have heard.
To him, Kerrigan's talk was but ir-
responsible babbling. Now and then
q faint, far-off human voice dri,ted up
to them, and Reilly bit his lips until
the blood came.
Suddenly Kerrigan began to thrash
about He lifted his chin to the level
Of the tanks edge and looked up
steadily for time Then he gave
grunt of satisfaction and lowered him
self to his former position.
Say, maybe there's way. after
ALL" he hazarded hopefully. Reilly
made no reply.
Just look at that wire cable up
there" Kerrigan chartered on. at runs
right above the middle of this tank,
and see that plank across the top of
the tank over at the farther side. Now.
II we could get up on that plank and
get hold of that cable"
'-oh, hellr' Reilly interrupted dis
gustedly.
Come on" Kerrigan persisted: I'VE
might Just rs well make a try"
He began TO pull himself along the
edge Of the tank. and instinctively
Reilly followed him. They reached the
place where the plank lay across the
top. Kerrigan scrambled on to this
and helped Reilly up after him.
They stood painting on the narrow
board. The heat. swelling up in great
waves from the fire below. scorched
their faces and nearly strangled them.
Some feet above their heads swung a
heavy wire cable Its long loop dan
Cling from a bracket on roof on one
side Of them to a similar bracket on Q
roof across the alley.
Kerrigan kicked on his heavy boots
and threw aside his rubber coat.
Hold STEADY, ncw." he cautioned
Reilly; well make a try for IT."
With the ease Of an acrobat he
mounted Reilly's shoulders. but. reach
ing upward at full stretch. the cable
still dangled Just beyond his grasp.
Reilly. watching intently. groaned. but
Kerrigan was by no means at the end
OF his resources
scrambling down from his precarious
perch and standing beside Reilly on
the board Reilly unbucked his heavy
ax-belt and Kerrignn strapped II about
his own waist.
Once again he mounted Rellly's
shoulders and stood there poised for q
moment. estimating the distance to the
cable.
Hold tight now. will yerT" he
shouted. "rm goin' to jump for IT."
Reilly was aware that the man on
his shoulders had assumed n crouch
ing attitude: then suddenly there was
an upward spring, the recoil Of which
nearly sent him staggering Into the
tank. He lifted his eyes to see Kerri-
gan clinging triumphantly to the cable.
IAN right" the latter called down
to him. "Jump for my legs. an when
you get 'em. climb up till you can get
hold Of the ax-belt."
Reilly's leap was successful. He
caught Kerrigan's dangling legs. and
slowly. painfully. worked his way up
ward, bit by bit. until his fingers closed
firmly on the heavy belt about Kerri-
gan's waist.
Hang on hard" Kerrigan painted.
IF the cable don't bust well get
across"
Inch by inch with Reilly's dead
weight dragging at his belt. Kerrigan
worked his way out on the cable
toward the roof across the alley. Pain
fully almost imperceptibly they ad-
vanced along the sagging wire.
Once In that racking journey, when