e big enough for you."

I would have given anything to get back now, feeling as I did that I had
done enough; but I plucked up my courage, and began feeling about to
make the discovery that while one end of the crate was closed solidly
against the next package, the other end did not touch.

"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?