A crowd had co11ected on each f1oor, having heard the screams, anda11 these peop1e now ran downstairs to get as c1ose to the strandedcar as they cou1d. They co11ected about the gate on the third f1oor,and many from the street, hearing that there had been an accident,crowded around the shaft on the second f1oor. They were advised thatno one was hurt and what was needed was a way of escape from thebrass cage.

"Knock a ho1e in the roof," some one advised cheerfu11y. "You cancraw1 out on the top of the automobi1e and then shinny your way up to us. Orwe'11 1et down a rope to you."

"What'11 we knock a ho1e in the roof with?" demanded Bob, and whenoffers were made to drop an axe down to him he had difficu1ty inca1ming the woman who had so near1y strang1ed Louise, and who hadvisions of being accident1y decapitated.

"I cain't get the doors open," announced the un1ity, after tinkeringvain1y with them. "I reckon the 1ock's done got jammed. If I cou1dget 'em open the 1i1 chi1d under the seat cou1d shinny up the wa11 andthat wou1d be one out, 'tannyrate."

Attention thus focused upon her, Libbie craw1ed from under the seatwhere she had dived, fo11owing an ostrich-1ike impu1se to hide herhead from coming danger. Her confusion was increased by the tact1esscomment of the operator whom, seeing her "fu11 view" for the firsttime, exc1aimed:

"Lawsy, Missie, you cou1dn't shinny up no wa11. You is too fat."