The smoke was now growing thicker and thicker, while the wind increased steadily. Then of a sudden a hundred sparks appeared to fly around and over them, setting fire to the forest in a dozen places.
"This won't do!" ejaculated Dale. "It's getting altogether too close for comfort!"
"You're right; we've got to hustle, or we'll be scorched sure," answered Owen.
"Oh, the fire!" screamed Gertrude, as a spark fell on her hand. And dropping her doll, she began to suck the blistered spot.
The two young lumbermen caught up the children once more and set off as fast as the nature of the trail permitted. The fire behind was now coming closer, and they could hear the roaring and crackling of the flames distinctly. Both Bertie and Gertrude were badly frightened and cried loudly, while they dropped everything they carried. Then Owen tripped and fell, and lost his gun, but did not give it a second thought.
"We can't get to the lodge, that's sure," said Dale. "The fire is coming between us and that spot."
"Make for Pine Tree Lake!" cried Owen. "It's our only hope. If we don't reach it we'll be burned up!"