“There’s some sort of craft out yonder,” he announced, fairly sputtering out his words in his excitement. “She’s firing so fast I can’t see her for smoke.” Explosion followed explosion now. Bugle calls resounded amid the noise of falling buildings. The inmates of the prison could hear the clash of accouterments as troops raced by. Hoarse commands sounded near and far. “There’s a fine picnic now, I’m thinking,” grinned Stanley, “and--Great Scott!” An explosion louder than any of the preceding ones sounded. A choking dust filled the air. It drifted in through the window. “Great Dewey! they’re shelling this building!” yelled Midshipman Stark. Cr-as-h! The place shook as if an earthquake had passed beneath it. Mingling with the roar of the exploding shell and the scream of the projectiles that were now pumping into the city came a sound of splintering and smashing. “Those fellows have the range,” shouted Ned above the uproar. “Yes, and if we don’t get out of here quick we’ll find a grave in the ruins,” roared the midshipman. As he spoke the building shook to its foundations once more, and a heavy explosion rent the air. “Too close for comfort,” decided Stanley. “Come on, we’ll try the door.” Together the Americans rushed the portal. The strong oak withstood their united assault without a tremor, however. “We’ll be killed like rats if we don’t escape!” exclaimed Herc despairingly. “What are we to do?” gasped Ned, as they stood in the center of the prison, with the sweat streaming from them. Outside the bombardment grew heavier. It seemed incessant now. Suddenly Stanley gave an exclamation. His companions, gazing at him, saw that his cheeks were white. “Do you smell something?” he choked out. A pungent odor had filled the air of the prison within the last few minutes. “Yes, smells like burning,” assented the middy. “It is burning. The place is on fire.” “On fire!” “And burning like a dry haystack. If we’re not out of here in a few minutes we’re goners.” Even while he spoke the sinister odor grew stronger. Now their horrified ears caught the crackle of the flames as they ate their way toward them. Sparks drifted in through the window and lay glowing on the floor of the place. “The door! Try it once more. It’s our last chance!” It was Stanley who spoke. His words came chokingly in the reek of the burning building. But as once more their shoulders crashed against the heavy portal they fell back with a groan of despair. They had made no more impression on it than if it had been made of boiler plate. Suddenly an explosion, sharper and more ear-splitting than its predecessors, detonated--in their very faces, as it seemed. They were flung reeling in every direction, while suffocating fumes and dust filled the air.