"It is going to set fire to the woods! See, the dried leaves are catching already! If it reaches yonder cedars there will be a terrible conflagration here!"
"Phew! that's true!" came from Pepper. His merry face grew sober for the moment. "What shall we do?"
"We are not responsible," said Andy. "It is Ritter and Coulter's fault."
"But we don't want these grand woods to burn down," went on the young major. "Besides, the wind is rising and it is blowing towards the gym and the stables! The burning embers might set fire to those buildings!"
"Come on and put the blaze out!" said Andy.
"How are you going to do it? We haven't any water—and water isn't of much account against tar, anyway. Gracious, see those flames shoot up!" Jack added, as a column of fire shot skyward.
"One of the trees is catching already!" gasped Pepper. "We had better sound an alarm!"
"Andy, go back to the school and tell the others, teachers and all," ordered the young major. "Captain Putnam will know what to do. Pepper, you and I had better try to throw dirt and stones on the barrels. That will keep down the flames a little."
The acrobatic youth set off on a sprint in the direction of Putnam Hall. While he was gone the others did their best to subdue the rapidly-increasing conflagration. It was hot work, and soon the perspiration was pouring down their faces.
"It's no use!" panted Pepper, when the wind sent a sudden eddy of black smoke in his face.