confusion of equipment and sleeping bodies thrown violently together as
the train reared and twisted and plunged from the tracks. Almost
immediately a further sound blended into it all-the crackling of
musketry at close range and the steady hammering beat of a Maxim
machine-gun.
Sean was pinned helplessly in the complete darkness, unable to breathe
under an immense weight. He struggled wildly, tearing at the men and
baggage above him, his legs bound by loose blankets. The weight eased
enough for him to drag air into his lungs, but a knee was driven into
his face with such force that his lip burst open and the blood oozed
saltily into his mouth.
He lashed out and felt the stinging rake of broken glass along his
arm.
In the darkness men screamed in terror and in pain, leading the hideous
chorus of groans and oaths and gunfire.
Sean dragged his body free of the press, felt men thrashing under him
as he stood.
Now he could hear the repeated splintering thud of bullets into
woodwork much louder than the guns that fired them.
Someone reeled against him and Sean caught him.
'Saul?'
'Leave me, let me go.' A stranger, Sean released him.
'Saul. Saul. Where are you?'
'Sean. ' 'Are you hurt?
'No. ' I 'let's get out of here.'
'My rifle.'
'Bugger your rifle.'
'Where's the window?'
'Blocked.'
At last Sean was able to get some idea of their situation. The coach
was on its side with the windows against the earth and the whole welter
of dead and broken men piled upon them. The door was high above them,
probably jammed.
'We'll have to break out through the roof. ' He groped blindly, then
swore and jerked his hand back as a splinter of wood knifed up under a
fingernail, but he felt a draught of cold air on his face.
'There's a hole.' He reached out again eagerly and felt the torn
timber. 'One of the planks is sprung.'
Immediately there was a rush of bodies in the darkness, hands clawed at
him as half a dozen men fought to find the opening.
'Get back, you bastards. ' Sean struck out with both fists and felt
them connect. He was panting and he could feel the sweat sliding down
his back. The air was heavy with the body warmth and breath of
terrified men.
'Get back. I'll work on it.' He forced his hands into the crack and
tore the loose plank out. For an instant he struggled with the
temptation to press his face to the narrow opening and suck in the
clean air. Then he locked his- hands on to the next plank, braced his
legs against the roof and heaved back with all his strength. It
wouldn't budge. He felt the panic mounting in him once more.
