 It was the Sharp family blunderbuss that had exploded with a blast like a small howitzer. So also, for the second time, I turned and ran back up the hill, this time to the office. I got there just as Maynard, climbing hand over hand up a smoking rifle barrel, made it to his feet. Maynard! Maynard, what happened? Where's Gaines? I don't know. He got away, I guess. Well, the shot, what about that? It went up there, through the roof. Oh, fine.