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roar and crash. Flames exploded skyward and in all directions. Geoffrey cried out himself as one of the projected spheres struck his head covering and, running down, seared his cheek before he doused it with a trailing end of wet cloth. The stallion suddenly screamed aloud as another of the flaming gobs landed on him. Head outstretched, the horse bolted forward. Joanna was dragged with him, her hand frozen to the rein, and Geoffrey, holding fast to her, followed, will he nill he, directly into the black mouth he feared. |
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The heat that struck them made the air they had breathed so painfully before seem cool. If they had breathed, doubtless they would have died, their lungs burnt and useless. But to breathe was not possible. The smoke was like a solid thing and closed their throats. Nor was it possible to see. For all the red flame above and to each side, the black, acrid fumes closed the eyes against the will. Dragged by the blinded stallion who could not gallop because of Joanna's pull on the reins, they stumbled through hell until the ground gave way before their feet and they plunged downwardinto black wetness. |
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