Their haste broke the spell.
"I wish I could tell it as quick as it happened.

But Bo Snecker, turning white as a sheet, stuck to Blome.

All the others failed him, as he had guessed they would fail.

Low curses and exclamations were uttered by men sliding and pressing back, but the principals were mute.

I was thinking hard, yet I had no time to get to Steele's side.