"Yes, madam, but you know the fire——"
"You seem to have lost your head completely since the fire started."
"I think it's safe enough to go back to the lodge," said Owen.
"So do I," added Dale.
"They don't know anything," interrupted the frightened Jasper. "The sparks——"
"If you don't want to go back we can land you on the island," said Mrs. Wilbur. "I fancy you'll be safe there."
But Jasper Nown did not wish to be left alone, and so he reluctantly agreed to go back to the lodge, and the bow of the launch was turned for that point on the lower shore. In the meantime the wind continued to shift, and by the time the lodge landing was gained they saw that the fire near the cove was dying out.
At the boathouse they found the missing servants, who, under the directions of a cool-headed forester, had gone back to the lodge for a basket of provisions and some blankets.
"We were going to take to the other boat, if it became necessary," said the forester. "But the fire has shifted, and if it don't shift back this place won't be touched."
At the boathouse the two young lumbermen retired for a few minutes, and wrung the water from their shirts and emptied their boots. As the weather continued hot they suffered nothing from their plunge into the lake, nor were the children affected.