They rode up the range; it was steep and stony, and their horses stepped carefully; the light in the sky became stronger--more lurid; up they toiled; they were nearly at the top. They spoke not a word to each other, but their anxious eyes were fixed upon the sky. Deeper and deeper grew the colour, wider and wider it spread; and a sound like a muffled roar came to their ears.
"Now then," cried William Smith to his horse, and gently touching it with his whip. "Up with you, my lad!"
The horses leaped onwards, and when they reached the top of the ridge, stopped suddenly, in obedience to the action of their riders.
"Great God!" cried Mr. Hart; "the township is on fire!"
They saw now the meaning of the lurid sky. A vast sheet of flame was before them extending this way and that, licking up everything before it. They could hear the dull roar of the fire and the cries of the people, who were rushing wildly about. They paused but for one instant. The next they were galloping madly towards the township; their horses needed no urging, they flew like the wind.
"Are you insured?" shouted William Smith.
"Not for a penny," answered Mr. Hart, with a spasm in his throat.
"The stores will burn like tinder," muttered William Smith between his clenched teeth.
They flew like madmen into the town.