"Say, it's a big one all right!" exclaimed Jack, as they hurried on.
"Yes, I shouldn't wonder but what more than one stack is going," added Bert, for they were below the hill now, and could see only the increased reflection of the flames on the sky.
"How did it start? Who set it on fire? Is it hay or straw?" asked
George excitedly.
"Stow that!" commanded Tom sharply. "How do we know; and how do you know it was set on fire, George?"
"I don't know. But hay stacks don't generally set themselves ablaze; do they?"
"How about spontaneous combustion?" asked Tom, quickly.
"Or a tramp sleeping under the hay with a pipe going?" added Bert.
"Come on, hit it up, or we'll be the last ones there."
This was evident, for a number of groups of school lads had passed our friends, who were jogging along rather leisurely.
"There goes Sam Heller and Nick," remarked Bert.
"All right. Let 'em get ahead," advised Tom. "We don't want their company."