"Are all safe out of the house?" anxiously inquired the professor.
"Every soul!" was the satisfactory answer.
At this moment Ishmael came running up with the hose, exclaiming:
"Here, professor! if you will take this end, I will run and put the sucker to the spout of the pump."
"Good fellow, be off then!" answered Morris.
The hose was soon adjusted and played into the burning room.
At this moment there was a sudden outcry from the group of women and children, and the form of Mrs. Middleton was seen flying through the darkness towards the firemen.
"Oh, Grainger!" she cried, as soon as she had reached the spot, "oh, Grainger! the Burghe boys are still in the house. I thought they had been out! I thought I had seen them out but it was two negro boys I mistook in the dark for them! I have just found out my mistake! Oh, Grainger, they will perish! What is to be done?"
"'Pends on what room they're in, ma'am," hastily replied the overseer, while all the others stood speechless with intense anxiety.
"Oh, they are in the front chamber there, immediately above the burning room!" cried Mrs. Middleton, wringing her hands in anguish, while those around suspended their breath in horror.