"Back! Back! I'm a-comin' with Queen Bess!"
Without a word, as he approached, Frank pulled off his coat, evidently preparing for a desperate dash through the now roaring flames to rescue his beloved mare. Then, bracing himself for a great spring through the lurid barrier, he cried, "I'll save her!" and would have leaped into the flaming entrance if Neb had not caught his arm with desperate grip.
"No, honey," the old negro cried, "yo' shan't go in!"
The Colonel joined the negro in restraining the half-crazed owner of Queen Bess. "It's no use, Frank," said he. "We'll not let you go in."
They dragged the struggling youth back from the fire just as, to their amazement, an exultant voice rang from the inside of the burning building. "Back! Back!" it cried. "I'm a-comin' with Queen Bess!"
An instant later Madge sprang out through the flames, followed by the mare, about whose head the mountain girl had wrapped her shawl.
"Come, girl! Come, girl!" said Madge, alert of eye, cool-witted, soothing.
As docilely as she had followed her that afternoon, the mare stepped through the blazing door and out into the stable-yard.