This was done, and then Randy passed the second pail along and this was followed by the teakettle.
“Go inside and see that the fire doesn’t scatter around the room,” yelled the oldest Rover boy, as the contents of the teakettle followed the second pail of water into the chimney.
Andy did as bidden and at the same time Gif with the two pails hurried off once more to the spring. Inside of the lodge there was a dense smoke and a little trickle of water came from the hearthstone across the floor. This carried with it some ashes and a few bits of wood and straw.
The first supply of water was soon exhausted and by the time a fresh quantity came up from the spring the fire in the chimney was again belching forth, sending out almost as many sparks as ever.
“Lively there, boys! Lively!” yelled Jack, brushing the sparks from his face and hands.
“Here you are!” yelled Gif. “Pass ’em along!” and one pail after another came up.
“The roof is on fire!” screamed Spouter. “Here, give me that teakettle of water!”
Spouter was right. The sparks had set fire to the roof in several places. He crawled forward as well as the slippery condition of the shingles permitted. Then, with the water, he put out one of the blazes and immediately crawled off in the direction of another.
“Be careful there!” cried Gif. “Throw down the pails again and I’ll get more water.”