CHAPTER XII
GENERAL WOLFE’S CAMP
“We can’t put out this fire!”
“We must jump for our lives!”
Such were the exclamations which burst simultaneously from the lips of Henry and the sharpshooter, as the flames shot skyward from the fire-boat.
Both leaped to the stern of the craft, where there was a plank extending over the water a distance of a few feet.
“Let us haul the board overboard,” cried Silvers. “That will give us something to rest on.”
This advice was followed with difficulty. But at last the plank went down with a splash and the two escaping prisoners went with it.
They were none too soon. The fire-boat now blazed up with increasing fury, and Henry’s coat was in a flame in two places. But the souse in the river saved the young soldier from more than a scorching.
“Whi—which way now?” he sputtered as he came up and caught hold of one end of the plank, while Silvers grasped the other end.
“Let us see if we can’t make the opposite shore. It’s our only chance.”