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I listened for the reply shot; but none came. I was on the lowest step of the entrance to old Dalhousie when the boom sounded; by the time I reached the top step and was just about to pull the heavy front door open, there sounded the most terrific roar or crash - the only way I can describe it - which broke most of the windows I was forced against the door as [?] the push of a giant and as the door was [?] inwards on its hinges, I could not open it. I therefore turned round and going down the steps looked up to the Northern sky to see in the bright morning sunlight a huge pyramid of [????lorted] flame with an apex