Among other articles, some six or
seven beds had been dragged from the dormitories. These were now brought
into play, as powerful instruments in the assault. They were cast, one by
one, on the still burning though smothered flames, in the basement of the
block, whence they sent up a cloud of their intolerable effluvia. At this
trying moment, the appalling cry was heard in the block, that the well had
failed! The buckets ascended as empty as they went down, and they were
thrown aside as no longer useful. The savages seemed to comprehend their
advantage, for they profited by the confusion that succeeded among the
assailed, to feed the slumbering fires. The flames kindled fiercely, and
in less than a minute they became too violent to be subdued. They were
soon seen playing on the planks of the floor above. The subtle element
flashed from point to point, and it was not long ere it was stealing up
the outer side of the heated block itself.
The savages now knew that conquest was sure. Yells and whoopings
proclaimed the fierce delight with which they witnessed the certainty of
their victory.
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