Chapter 7

Kinch and Newkirk came running when they heard the sound of the chair falling over. They both saw Hogan on the ground at the same time.

"Colonel!!!" Kinch exclaimed, dropping to one knee. He pressed two fingers against the side of Hogan's neck, and sighed in relief when he felt a steady pulse. "He's alive," he told Newkirk. "Help me get him on the cot."

Kinch took hold of Hogan under his arms while Newkirk grabbed Hogan's legs. Together, they gently lifted their commanding officer and laid him on the cot. Hogan began to stir moments after being placed on the cot. He opened his eyes and, rubbing his forehead, looked at both Kinch and Newkirk.

"What happened?" he asked. "Why are you both staring at me?"

"We heard a sound of something falling so Newkirk and I came running and found you passed out on the ground," explained Kinch. "Colonel, what happened?"

"I passed out?" Hogan asked, slowly sitting up on the cot. He looked up at Kinch in surprise. "The last thing I remember was getting to my feet." He rubbed his forehead again. "It must be this blasted headache."

"Must be from the oxygen getting thin down here, Gov'nor," Newkirk remarked. "Blimey, it's gettin' hard to breathe."

Hogan suddenly looked around and noticed the kerosene lamps hanging from the tunnel walls.

"Kinch, those lamps are lit using kerosene, aren't they?" he asked.

Kinch and Newkirk both looked at the lamps that were still burning.

"Now that you mention it, Colonel, I think you're right," the radioman replied.

"What are you getting at, Colonel?" asked Newkirk, puzzled.

"Kerosene in a poorly ventilated area emits fumes," Hogan explained. "It's hot enough down here as it is, but I'm beginning to suspect the fumes from those lamps could be affecting us in some way. And they also use up a lot of oxygen. I suggest we turn off all but one lamp. It'll be dark in here, but it might make the oxygen last longer until we can get out of here."

Newkirk and Kinch looked at each other. "All but one lamp, sir?" asked Newkirk, focusing on his commanding officer.

"All but one, Newkirk," replied Hogan. "Help me up so we can get these lamps turned off."

"Kinch and I will take care of the lamps, Colonel. You just rest for awhile." Newkirk looked around. "Which lamp do you want left lit, sir?"

Hogan looked around. "Leave the one near the radioroom. It's closest to where we're digging. Now help me to my feet so we can get these lamps turned off."

Knowing better than to argue with their commanding officer, Kinch and Newkirk helped Hogan to his feet. Then, each man went about turning off each kerosene lamp completely. Hogan was glad he had the cane to lean on because the tunnel was spinning an the nauseousness was worse than before. Several times he had to pause, putting all his weight on his cane and rubbing his forehead. Unbeknownst to Hogan, this reaction he was having did not escape the watchful eyes of Kinch and Newkirk.

"Colonel, you all right?" asked Newkirk from across the area. His own headache pounding behind his eyes.

"I'm fine," Hogan replied without turning. He continued leaning on his cane. "I just feel....a little....woozy," his knees started buckling again.

With rapid speed, Kinch moved across the tunnel and caught his commanding officer before he hit the ground. Cradling him in his arms, Kinch gently carried him to the cot in the radioroom and laid him on it. As Newkirk hurried over, Kinch again pressed two fingers against Hogan's neck. He breathed a sigh of relief when he again found a pulse. However, this time, Hogan had passed out completely. Kinch looked at Newkirk.

"Is he alive, Kinch?' asked the Englander, frightened.

"He's out cold," the radioman explained. "Newkirk, we've got to get him out of here before much longer. He's not well, and his breathing is not good."

Newkirk looked around the tunnels. "Well, we got all the ruddy lamps turned off 'cept the one here in the radioroom." He wiped the back of his hand across his sweaty brow.

"Maybe it will help some and have the oxygen last a bit longer," Kinch replied. "But right now I'm worried about the Colonel."

"So am I, mate," Newkirk replied softly. "I wish we had some water or something. I'm awful thirsty right about now. And I'm sure the Colonel could use a drink as well."

Kinch's face suddenly brightened. "Newkirk, you're a genius!"

"Why? What did I say?"

"Water. I just remembered. There should be three glass jugs of water in Carter's lab area. And from what I recall there's still acess to that part of the tunnel. I only hope nothing happened to them during the cave-in. Stay with the Colonel and I'll go check."

"Be careful, mate," Newkirk told his friend.

Kinch looked over his shoulder. "Is there any other way to be?" he said with a smile as he disappeared around the corner.

While he waited for Kinch to return, Newkirk brushed a couple of loose strands of black hair from Hogan's forehead. As he did so, Hogan started to stir. His eyes opened barely and he noticed Newkirk watching him.

"Newkirk, did I pass out again?" he asked weakly.

"Afraid so, Gov'nor," the Englander replied. "We got all the lamps 'cept one turned off like you ordered. How do you feel?"

"Dizzy and nauseous with the worse headache I think I've ever had."

"Well, sir, hopefully with the lamps off we'll all be able to breathe a bit easier."

Hogan looked around. "Where's Kinch?" he asked, not seeing the radioman anywhere.

"Kinch recalled there were three jugs of water in Carter's lab area and went to see if they survived the cave-in. If they did, at least we'll have some water."

Hogan tried to sit up, but Newkirk's hand on his chest stopped him. "Don't try getting up, Colonel. Just rest a bit."

Considering how nauseous and dizzy he felt, Hogan was in no mood to argue. He let Newkirk push him back down on the cot.

Just then, Kinch reappeared carrying three glass jugs. Newkirk looked around when he heard Kinch approaching.

"I see the water bottles survived the cave-in," Newkirk kidded Kinch.

"Thank God for small miracles," Kinch replied happily. He noticed the Colonel looking at him.

"Colonel, thank God you're awake. How do you feel?" Kinch asked sitting the bottles down on the table with the radio on it.

"Lousy," Hogan remarked with a smirk.

Kinch picked up one of the jugs of water, and opening it, held Hogan's head up and tipped the jug to his lips allowing him to drink. After a few minutes, he passed the jug to Newkirk who also took a couple of small sips. Kinch did the same after Newkirk. Then, the radioman looked at Newkirk.

"Lend me your handkerchief, Newkirk," he said.

Reaching into his pants pocket, Newkirk removed a damp handkerchief and handed it to Kinch. "Sorry about the condition it's in," he apologized.

Accepting the handkerchief, Kinch soaked it with water. "Doesn't matter," he said. "I'm just gonna make it a bit wetter is all." Once the handkerchief was soaked, Kinch handed it back to Newkirk who wrung it out, and then laid the handkerchief across Hogan's forehead.

"Just relax and close your eyes, Gov'nor," Newkirk told Hogan softly. "Try and get some sleep. Kinch and I will take care of the digging. You just rest."

As Kinch put the top back on the jug, he and Newkirk noticed that their commanding officer apparently hadn't heard the last few words Newkirk had said to him because he was already asleep. Kinch looked at Newkirk.

"Peter, you stay with the Colonel and keep watch over him," he whispered. "We'll take shifts. I'll relieve you in about two hours."

"You got it, mate," was the Englander's reply. He watched Kinch put the partially used jug on the table with the other two before going back to where they had been digging. After Kinch had departed, Newkirk gazed down at the face of his sleeping commanding officer.

I promise I'll get you out of here, sir, Newkirk told himself. I'll get you out of here even if I die in the process. Nothing is more important to me than you, Colonel.