But Elspeth and I had still to get inside it.
Her ankle had caught in a picket rope, which in another second would have wrenched it cruelly, had I not slashed it free with my knife.

This sent the horse belonging to it in wild career across the corral, and I think 'twas that interruption which saved our lives.

It held back the savages for an instant of time, and prevented them blocking our escape.
It all took place in the flutter of an eye-lid, though it takes long in the telling.

I pushed Elspeth through the door, and with all my strength tore at the bars.
But they would not move.

Perhaps the rain had swollen the logs, and they had jammed too tightly to let the bar slide in the groove.