The automatic revolvers were soon emptied, and the place was now so full of smoke that neither party could see the other. The torches burned with a red glare.
"Reload!" ordered Tom, "and we'll make a rush for it! We can't keep this up long!"
It took but an instant to slip in another lot of cartridges and then, on Tom's advice, they slipped the catches to make the automatic weapons simple ones, to be fired at will.
They sent several more shots through the doorway but no cries of pain followed, and it was evident that their enemies had stepped back out of the line of fire.
"Now's our chance!" cried Tom. "The way is clear. Come on!"
He and the others dashed forward, Tom carrying the golden head, though it was hard work. It was not very heavy but it was awkward.
As they rushed through the now open gateway they crouched low to avoid the spears, but, as it was one grazed Tom's shoulder, and Eradicate was pierced in the fleshy part of his arm.
"Forward! Forward!" cried Tom. "Come on!"
And on they went, through the smoke and darkness, Ned flashing his electric torch which gave only a feeble glow as the battery was almost
