Then they took a beam, eight feet long, made a hole with their tulwars in the clay floor close to the wall, put one end of the beam into it, and reared it upright against the window.

Dick held it in its place, while Surajah hacked a deep notch in it--a by no means difficult matter, for it was half rotten with exposure.
The notch was cut just opposite the middle of the window.

The three crosspieces were then put into their place, and the upright pressed firmly against them.

One end of a long beam was placed in the notch, the other in a slight hole made in the ground, thus forming a strut, which held the rest firmly in their positions.
"That is a good job done," Dick said, "but a very hot one.

Now, Surajah, sharpen three or four pieces of wood, and drive them down into the ground at the foot of that strut; then it will be as firm as a rock." They then proceeded, in the same way, with the other two windows.
"It is getting light fast," Dick said, as he wiped the perspiration from his face.