Chapter 277

Finally, the leader said, "We are never going to be able to do this from here. Let's separate into pairs, and walk up the driveway like everyone else is. When the music starts, and everyone's attention is focused there, that's when we will make our move."

By 12:30 PM, the firefighters had cleaned up the debris from the barn, and put the burnt lumber into the bright green dumpsters to be hauled away to the recycling facility, just in time to see the four large Fire Department Pumper Trucks arrive, and take up their positions for their events, later in the day. One truck filled the empty pit with water, and made sure it was as muddy as it could be. By forcing some of the dirt that was extracted back into the hole, the mud was as thick as molasses.

The men placed 50 yards of heavy knotted rope, alongside the pit, for the tug-of-war.

The last item to arrive was a huge tow truck. It took up a position behind the stage, and 50 feet in front of Pa