And, not only was it
leveled, crushed down in the center by the great weight of
the tank, but the boards and beams were broken into small
pieces. Parts of them clung in long, grotesque splinters to
the endless steel belts.
"I don't see how we're going to find anybody if he's in
there," remarked Hank.
"We'll have to," insisted Tom. "We can look about and
call. If any one is there he may have been off to one side
or to one end, and be protected under the debris. I wish I
had heard you call, Ned."
"I wish you had, Tom. I yelled for all I was worth."
"I know you did. I was too eager to go on, and, at the
same time, I really couldn't stop well on that hill. I had
to keep on going. Well, now to learn the worst!"
They walked back toward the demolished barn. But they had
not reached it when from around the corner swung a big
automobile. In it were several men, but chief, in vision at
least, among them, was a burly farmer who had a long,
old-fashioned gun in his hands. On his bearded face was a grim
look as he leaped out before the machine had fairly stopped,
and called:
"Hold on, there! I guess you've done damage enough! Now
you can pay for it or take the consequences!" And he
motioned to Tom, Ned, and the others to halt.
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