"Freedom to any slave with his wife and children, who will rescue the Burghe boys!"
Again he paused for a response; and nothing but dead silence followed.
"I tell you they won't run the risk, ma'am! Life is sweeter than anything else in this world!" said the overseer, coming down.
"And the children will perish horribly in the fire and their mother will go raving mad; for I know I should in her place!" cried Mrs. Middleton, wildly wringing her hands, and gazing in helpless anguish upon the burning house.
"And oh! poor fellows! they are such naughty boys that they will go right from this fire to the other one!" cried Claudia Merlin, running up, burying her face in her aunt's gown, and beginning to sob.
"Oh! oh! oh! that I should live to see such a horrible sight! to stand here and gaze at that burning building and know those boys are perishing inside and not be able to help them. Oh! oh! oh!" And here Mrs. Middleton broke into shrieks and cries in which she was joined by all the women and children present.
"Professor! I can't stand this any longer! I'll do it!" exclaimed Ishmael.
"Do what?" asked the astonished artist.
"Get those boys out."
"You will kill yourself for nothing."