Harriet Burrell's mind worked rapidly. She
turned as quickly as she was able until she lay at right angles to the
cots and wholly beneath them with her head inward, her feet toward the
spot where Jasper and Jane were working feverishly to reach the girls.
"I don't know that I can do it, but I can try," muttered Harriet. She was
barely able to breathe. "Hurry!" she called. "We can't stand it much
longer." The girl braced herself, arched her back and stiffened her
muscles. To her joy, she found herself able to raise the cots a trifle.
The weight that had last crushed them down, was not so great but that she
could raise it, though when she desisted from her efforts the weight
above, held her down firmly across the bodies of two of her companions.
"Here we are darlin's," came the welcome voice of Crazy Jane close at
hand. "Hurry, now. This old house may tumble in again."
"Tell me when you are ready. Help Patricia out first. I'll lift the cots
while you pull her out. All ready?"
"Yes."
Harriet threw all her strength into the task of raising the cots,
underneath which she had burrowed. Patricia was quickly dragged out. The
cots sagged under the weight that bore them down and Harriet Burrell
sagged under the weight of both.
"Cora! Be quick!" she gasped.
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