The rest to the stables and bring out the working beasts. The
plows are by the corral, and the first team that comes up is to be
harnessed to each in turn. Then start in, and turn over a full-depth
furrow a furlong from the fire."
There was no confusion, and already the hired men were busy with two
great machines until Winston displaced two of them.
"How that fire passed the guards I don't know, but there will be time
to find out later," he said to Dane. "Follow with the big breaker--it
wants a strong man to keep that share in--as close as you can."
Then they were off, a man at the heads of the leading horses harnessed
to the great machines, and Winston sitting very intent in the
driving-seat of one, while the tough sod crackled under the rending
shares. Both the man and the reins were needed when the smoke rolled
down on them, but it was for a moment torn aside again, and there
roared up towards the blurred arch of indigo a great rush of flame.
The heat of it smote into prickliness the uncovered skin, and in spite
of all that Winston could do, the beasts recoiled upon the machine
behind them. Then they swung round wrenching the shares from the
triplex furrow, and for a few wild minutes man and terrified beast
fought for the mastery. Breathless half-strangled objurgations, the
clatter of trace and swivel, and the thud of hoofs, rose muffled
through the roar of the fire, for, while swaying, plunging, panting,
they fought with fist and hoof, it was rolling on, and now the heat was
almost insupportable.
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