Both the young lumbermen realized their peril fully and spurted down the hillside and through the forest at the best speed they could command.
On every side of them were tall pines, spruces, and other trees, with here and there a patch of brushwood. The fire caught each tree as if by magic, and the flames would run up from roots to top with the rapidity of lightning, and then the tree would resemble some giant torch. Sometimes a tree in the rear would burst open with the report of a pistol, sending forth a new shower of sparks, which the wind caught and wafted still further to the front of the conflagration.
The fire had reached more than one wild animal, and the young lumbermen caught sight of wolves, foxes, and deer running madly to escape the flames. The birds also flew around, uttering wild notes of distress as they saw their nests destroyed.
Long before the shore of Pine Tree Lake was reached, the fire appeared to be at their very heels. The sparks flew all around them, landing on their hands and necks, and occasionally drifting directly into their faces. To protect the children they carried the little ones close to their breasts, yet they did not escape altogether, and added their shrieks of fear and anguish to the general excitement.
"Oh, please take me away!" wailed Bertie. "I'll promise never to run away again, never!"
"Oh, my hand is burnt!" screamed Gertrude. "Take me to mamma! Take me to mamma!" And she continued to scream until she was exhausted, when she lay limp in Dale's arms.
At last they could see the lake far ahead through the trees. Here was a bluff, standing out fifteen feet above the water, and partly overgrown with trees and bushes.
A puff of wind caused the sparks to whirl all around them, and each staggered for a moment as he came out on the bluff. To both Dale and Owen it seemed at that instant as if the whole world was on fire.
"Jump! Don't wait! Jump!" yelled Owen hoarsely, and then, with the fire fairly roaring at his heels, each leaped into the lake with his burden.
It was a sudden plunge, especially for the children, and each spluttered and kicked wildly when going under the surface. But the plunge extinguished the sparks that clung to all, and for the time being they were safe, so far as being burnt was concerned.