"The thatch is burning through!" gasped Harry excitedly.
"It won't be long before the roof falls!" added Jack.
Jimmie pressed the trigger again and again in the hope that the sound of his shots would reach friendly ears and procure their release.
Fire now began dropping from several places in the thatch, while the barn filled with smoke. The crackling of the flames grew louder as the fire spread. All the boys were coughing and choking from the smoke they were compelled to inhale. They grouped near the door.
"Here comes the fireman!" yelled Jimmie in delight, as the others were preparing again to attempt an onslaught on the post that had resisted their previous efforts. "Go, slow, lads! One at a time!"
His shout had been called forth by a rattle at the barred door. Springing quickly toward the entrance he called out:
"Hurry up, there! Pull that bar off the door! We're choking!"
A few words unintelligible to Jimmie came in reply.
Directly the bar was removed and the door opened, letting in a great rush of fresh air. As if urged to greater effort in its mad attempt to destroy the boys, the fire blazed up with redoubled fury. The entire roof burst out in flame, no doubt augmented by the sudden rush of air through the now wide opened doorway. The barn was doomed.