They made no answer, seeking to hurry from him, but he followed them up.
“You blow, I swear I kill you!” he cried. “I swear to do it, and I keep my word! You see! you see!”
They had been ascending a hill. Now they turned on him, and, as they did so, a cry of surprise came from the lips of Hogan.
“Good Lord, boys!” he exclaimed; “just look there!”
They saw him fling his arm out in a gesture toward the distant strip of woods. They looked, and what they saw was startling in the extreme. In the midst of the woods there was a reddish glare which rose and glowed and grew stronger every minute.
“The woods are afire!” gasped Crauthers.
“Sure thing!” came from the lips of Stark.
“Why, how——”
“It started from our fire in the Den! When the brands were scattered—that’s what did it!”
“Boys,” said Stark chokingly, “Arlington is there in the burning woods! If we had brought him out! Perhaps we can do it now! Come, fellows—come, let’s go back!”