When at last they found a particularly long and stout tree trunk, Cal hooked a double line to either end and had Henderson drag it across the ground, tearing up great tufts of the dead grass, which were hastily dragged aside.
Akbar flogged his team, as did the local fire chief.
As the night deepened and they drew nearer to Alice Springs, local residents in their SUVs started showing up. They brought food, water, and good cheer. They were quickly recruited to drag off the torn-up grass and the smaller trees.
The teams’ south line pinched the main blaze. Trapped it and forced it to turn north. Steve kept the drone aloft and fed Cal information throughout the night. It was going to be close, so damned close.
Cal’s face was sore from the heat baking his skin dry. His back and shoulders had
