IN THE BRÛLÊ
Not understanding the danger, the boys could not help seeing that it was real, by the old man's manner, and the speed with which he darted back along the trail. As he passed 'Cradle,' Snap noticed that that intelligent beast turned of his own accord and followed his human companions. As they ran, another faint wind came, and another half-dozen great trees thundered down, and one of them right across the path between Dick and his friends. One of its boughs flew up and struck Frank across the face, leaving a long black mark and drawing a bright stream of blood.
For a moment the boys recoiled aghast; but Wharton's voice woke them to a fresh effort.
'Run, run, tear and ages! will you run?' he shrieked, and one after another the boys scrambled over the carcase of the great tree and reached Dick's side.
Dick was on his knees beside the hole from which he had extricated Snap. The good old fellow, though he knew the danger, meant to see everyone else safe before he thought of himself.
'Here, young 'un,' he cried to Towzer, 'get hold of my fist. Now then, down you go,' and he lowered the boy as far as he could into the hole.
'Let go and drop,' he cried. 'Are you all right?' he added.
'All right,' said Towzer's voice from somewhere beneath their feet.