“That’s what!” agreed Ned.
So hot was the blaze, and so fiercely was it eating up the lumber that the firemen made no attempt to save the board-piles that had already caught. They were devoting their energies to saving the surrounding property.
There was a big crowd already on hand, and it was growing larger every minute. The boys managed to push their way through, after some hard work, gaining a place where they could see the fire more plainly. And as they gained a vantage point they saw that which made them cry out in alarm.
For the side of the boathouse, nearest the lumber yard, which side had been smoking from the heat, now burst into flame.
“Look!” cried Ned.
“There she goes!” supplemented Bob.
“Come on, fellows! That’s our cue!” yelled Jerry. “We’ve got to get our boat out!”
The crowd, surprised by the sudden turn of the fire, gave way for a moment, and this presented to the boys just the advantage they wanted. There was an opening through which they slipped, running on toward the blazing boat house.
“Hey! Come back here!” called one of the firemen, for fire lines had been stretched.