"H-E-L-P."
That was all. We waited for more but nothing came.
Before we had turned to go Ma was halfway down the hill and running to beat the band. I knew that if Bill didn't get help it wouldn't be her fault.
"See if you can get hold of Mr. Wilson," she called, as soon as we came in sight. "I'll telephone his house. If you can't get him, get somebody. Your father has gone to hitch up and he will be ready to start in a few minutes."
In five minutes it seemed as if the whole town knew about it and were out in front of our house, or else climbing the hill to see the smoke. Mr. Wilson came on a run and was in the wagon before Pa could stop the horse.
"I want one of you boys to go with us," said Pa. "We may need some more signaling. Benny Wade, you are the lightest. Can you stand the climb?"
"Can I?" said he. "You watch me."
The marshal chased up with a light stretcher and another lantern.
"You can't have too many," he said. "It will be dark before you get up there."
Ma came running out with a basket of bread and butter and some meat.