CHAPTER XV
THE CAPTURE—CONCLUSION
“The mischief!” cried Bob.
“Schoolhouse burning up!” echoed Sammy. “That’s big news.”
“Come on, fellows!” ordered Frank, making a rush down the road.
“Don’t wait for me,” said Tom. “I’m too fat to run fast.”
“Say, I don’t see any blaze,” spoke Bob.
“No, but look—everybody is putting for the schoolhouse!” cried Sammy.
This was true. In the dim dusk they could see men, women and children rushing in the direction of the schoolhouse. They could hear the man who had told the news, and others, shouting nearer to the center of the village.
The news seemed to spread like wildfire. Just as the boys joined the procession hurrying to the schoolhouse, they caught the echo of a great clanging and clatter.
“They’ve got the hose-cart out,” said Bob.