"The passage got steeper and steeper, and at last my foot slipped, and I shot down and came plump into the middle of a peat fire; and a moment later Desmond shot down on to the top of me.

We scattered the fire all over the place, as you can imagine; but I burned my hands and face, and I believe the leg of my breeches is on fire--something is hurting me confoundedly." "Yes, it is all smoldering!" Ralph exclaimed, putting it out with his hands.
"Have you got them all ?" Captain O'Connor asked.
"Everyone; not one has made his escape.

It would have fared badly with us, though, if Lieutenant Adcock had not sent down the men to our assistance.

Where is your leg broken, O'Connor ?" "Above the knee," the captain said.
"Here is some whisky and water," Ralph said, handing him his bottle.
"Now, I will see what has happened to Desmond," and he stooped over the insensible officer.
"He has got a nasty gash on his forehead, and I think his right arm is broken," he said.

"I will pour a little spirits between his lips, and then he had better be carried out into the air." This was done; and then Ralph went outside, and shouted to Sergeant Morris to bring down another twenty men.
"If you please, sir," one of the coast-guard men said, touching his hat, "I don't see any signs of our officer.