I could hear the fire roaring above and a little later the ashes
covered the exit so that I could no longer lift the stone, which
indeed grew too hot to touch. Here, then, I sat all night in the most
suffocating heat, very much afraid, Mr. Quatermain, lest the two kegs
of gunpowder that were with me should explode, till at last, just as I
had abandoned hope and prepared to die like a tortoise baked alive by
a bushman, I heard your welcome voice. And Mr. Quatermain, if there is
any soothing ointment to spare, I shall be much obliged, for I am
scorched all over."
"Ah! Sammy, Sammy," I said, "you see what comes of cowardice? On the
hill with us you would not have been scorched, and it is only by the
merest chance of owing to Hans's quick hearing that you were not left
to perish miserably in that hole."
"That is so, Mr. Quatermain. I plead guilty to the hot impeachment.
But on the hill I might have been shot, which is worse than being
scorched. Also you gave me charge of your goods and I determined to
preserve them even at the risk of personal comfort.
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