Up, up, they leaped, growing higher and more fierce every moment. The sparks flew inland. If some change did not occur, no power under the sun could save the poor fishermen's homes.
The two poor, forlorn little culprits waited in the roadway and watched the progress of the awful flames.
The two fires looked like immense dragons that were rushing at each other in uncontrolled fury. The sparks flew right and left, but the counter fire served its purpose somewhat in that part of the flames' force was spent upon the other.
The fires crackled and hissed, and to Harvey these were the voices of the dragons defying and mocking him. To him they said:
"What can you do to stop us? Nothing. Yes, you may well tremble. It was you, you alone, that set us monsters free and we will not be chained now that we are loose." Upward the fire dragons flew, and even as they sank down somewhat, their mocking did not cease.
"Counter fires may check us momentarily, but presently we will sweep upwards and devour the fishermen's huts in our fiery grasp. It is awful to you, but to us it is fun, fun, fun, and we will not be stopped. Look at us. Look at us."
Again the flames leaped higher and higher. Harvey covered his face with his hands. He could not bear the sight another instant.
Beth would have comforted him if she had known how, but what could she say? She, too, felt that nothing could stop the onward rush of the dragons.
But the one opponent that had power over them suddenly descended to take part in the fray.
Beth clapped her hands in glee. "It's raining, Harvey; it's raining."