“Look!” cried Andy, pointing to the cottage, “Am I mistaken, or is that place on fire?”
“It’s the chimney smoking,” answered Pepper.
“No, it’s a fire coming up through the roof around the chimney!” burst out Jack.
“Let us go to the fire!” sang out Dale, and suiting the action to the word, he turned down the side road, and the others followed at his heels.
By the time they reached the cottage the place was burning fiercely throughout the second story and around the roof.
“I don’t see anybody,” said Pepper. “Perhaps the place isn’t occupied.”
“Maybe tramps set it on fire,” suggested Dale.
“I see two men!” cried Jack. “Well, I never!”
“What is it, Jack?”
“The men from the sloop! Here is where they must have been putting up!”