The light which had streamed in through the entrance gradually became obscure, and the voices of those without muffled.
The darkness grew more intense as the faggots were piled thicker and thicker; then suddenly a slight odour of smoke was perceived.
"Come along now," Archie said; "they have fired the pile, and there is no fear of their entrance." Two of their number, with blazing pine knots, led the way.

When they reached the narrow spot all passed through, Archie and Andrew Macpherson last; these took the bundles of earth, as the others passed them along from behind, and built them up like a wall across the entrance, beating them down as they piled them, so as to make them set close and fill up every crevice.

Several remained over after the wall was completed; these were opened and the earth crammed into the crevices between the bags.

The smell of smoke had grown strong before the wall was completed, but it was not too oppressive to breathe.

Holding the torch close to the wall, Archie and his comrade stopped closely the few places through which they saw that the smoke was making its way, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing that the barrier was completely smoke tight.
There was plenty of air in the passage to support life for some time, but Archie called back to those who were labouring to enlarge the exit, in order to allow as much fresh air as possible to enter.
A strong guard, with spears, was placed at the barrier, although Archie deemed that some hours at least would elapse before the Kerrs could attempt to penetrate the cave.