"What good will it do?" said Shep. "They can get out on the lake in their boat—-if the fire gets too strong for them."
"The wind is blowing it directly to the lake," said Whopper. "My, but it has gained headway!" he added, looking around.
The smoke was growing thicker, and already they could see the sparks floating overhead. From a distance they heard a wild cry, but could not make out what it was.
Turning around, they started for the spot where they had left their boat.
In their mad rush to gain the craft, they did not notice that they got off the trail until they were halted by a mass of brushwood on all sides of them.
"This can't be right!" panted Giant. "I didn't notice this before."
"We have made some mistake!" ejaculated Shep. "Maybe we are going away from the lake!"
They gazed around. The smoke was growing thicker, and now a few burning brands fell close by.
"One thing is certain, we can't stay here!" came from Snap. "Let us go straight downhill. That will bring us to water sooner or later."
This was considered good advice and all acted on it without delay.
The smoke was now so thick they could scarcely see in any direction.
The light of the sun was obscure, making it as dark as if it was
night.