"No, Bob. You're not strong enough to bring him out; and besides—you're the only one at home, and if— But I'll be all right. I can't let him be burned."
"Wait, Sam! Somebody else will come in a minute," said Phil.
"There ain't any minutes to waste," said Sam bravely. "Don't you worry. I'll be all right."
Followed by the awe-stricken boys, who, seeing that nothing could change his purpose, silently submitted to his will, he went quickly to the farther end of the barn, where the fire was only just appearing. Hastily pulling off his light summer coat, he threw it over his head, and, guided by Fred's cries, plunged into the midst of the smoke and flame, just as Dr. Walsh came running down from the house, followed by Bert and the other boys.
"I wonder what all that smoke can be," Bess had said to Mr. Muir. "I do hope the boys are not in any trouble with their bonfire. I wish I hadn't let Fred go."
"He will be safe with Rob," answered Mr. Muir lightly, as he gathered up the balls on his racket. "What's that! Somebody crying fire?"
They listened a moment. Then Bess threw down her racket excitedly.
"Mr. Muir, come quick, please. I think it is at the doctor's, and I feel so worried about Fred!"
Frank Muir could scarcely keep up with her as she hurried along the street, into the doctor's grounds, and to the burning barn. They reached it at the very moment when Sam, half carrying, half dragging Fred, who had lost consciousness, and hung a limp, dead weight, staggered out into the open air, and fell motionless at his side, amid the cheer and tears of the large crowd that had gathered.
They said that he must have breathed the smoke, for there was no mark of the fire upon him. His lips were set firmly together, as with the nerving himself for some mighty, heroic task; and the coat he had worn to protect himself was closely folded about Fred's head. Lovingly and reverently they raised him, and bore him into the house, where they laid him on Bert's bed, wrapped in the dreamless sleep that could have but one awakening.