"There's a way here," I said to my companion, who was sitting up behind me, having found a place where he could let his legs go down. "Well, sir, that's what I thought," said Barney. "But it's too small for me, arn't it?" "Yes, far too small," I said. "I don't think I could get along. Is it any use to try?" Tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap. That knocking came so plainly and from so near now that I at once said-- "Yes; I must get through." "Bravo you, sir. That's your sort. Take it coolly. Where the head 'll go, the rest on you'll follow if you wiggles yerself well. Don't you get scared, sir. I'll pull you back if you get stuck." "But it's horribly hot here, Barney," I whispered. "Yes, sir; but I s'pose we mustn't mind that. Go it, sir, and let's get it over." I did not need his words, for I was already trying to get round that great crate. It was, I felt, an impossible job, for I had to pass round one angle, and the heat as I wedged myself in became insufferable. But I forced myself along inch by inch till I could get my arms round the end, where to my great joy I found that I could get hold of the bars of the crate, the straw with which its contents were packed yielding enough to allow my fingers to obtain a firm grip, and with this purchase I pulled and pulled, getting myself farther and farther till I was part of the way past the angle; then more and more, till my hips checked the way for a few minutes, and I stopped short, feeling that it was all over, for I could get no farther. Then I felt that I had done enough. It was useless fighting against the impossible, and I made up my mind to go back; but at the first movement I rucked up my jacket and trousers and literally wedged myself in, finding that I could not get back an inch, and that if I tried more I should be stuck beyond the hope of extrication. I felt faint with the heat and horror, then a peculiar giddiness came over me; I saw lights dancing before my eyes, and my senses were fast going, when, sounding quite cool and unconcerned, Barney's voice came to me, teaching me the value of companionship at such a time as this. "Having a rest, sir? Say when, and I'll give your feet a shove." Just those few simple words, but they were sufficient to give me courage once more, and drive away the mists of horror. I was myself again, tightened my grip on the stout bars of the crate, gave a spasmodic jerk, and dragged myself as I lay edgewise two or three inches along the end of the great crate. "That wins it, sir," whispered Barney, and feeling desperate I tried again and again, the bars giving me so much assistance that I got on and on till I was lyings as I said, edgewise along the end, with my back against a large wooden case.