"Fire?" ejaculated all of the boys, leaping to their feet. "Where?"
"Down the river. Reckon it's the Barnaby mill," and the man went on his way.
The boys gazed down the river and saw a thick volume of smoke rolling skyward. Men and boys were running toward it from every direction.
"It's the mill, as sure as fate!" cried Snap. "Come on, I'm going to the fire, fellows!" And away he started.
"Isn't that the mill in which your father owns an interest?" asked
Whopper.
"Yes; he owns a third share," answered Snap.
CHAPTER II
THE FIRE AT THE SAW MILL
It was indeed the Barnaby place that was going up in flames, and already the fire had gained much headway. The place was composed of the saw mill proper and half a dozen sheds used for the storage of cut lumber. The plant was valued at thirty thousand dollars, so if it was swept away the loss would be a heavy one.
The mill was a good half mile from the orchard, but the boys were all good runners and covered the distance in a few minutes, Shep and Snap arriving there first and little Giant bringing up the rear, with a face as red as a beet.