Mrs. Hampton turned, and as she did so, she gave a cry of dismay, and laid her right hand impulsively upon her companion's arm.
"It is smoke! And the wind is blowing it this way! See how it is rolling toward us. Someone has started a big fire over there, and it may do a great deal of damage, as everything is so dry."
"But we are safe here on this island, are we not?" Jess anxiously asked. "The fire can't surely cross the water."
"It can come through the air, though. Burning brands may soon be falling on all sides, and wherever one alights another fire will be started. We may have a shower of them here, even before the fire reaches the lake."
"What are we to do, then?" the girl asked.
"I do not know except to seek refuge in the lake. The water is deep around the shore of this island, so we could not go out very far."
"Perhaps John will come and take us off," Jess suggested.
"Let us hope so, dear," and Mrs. Hampton placed her right arm lovingly around her daughter. "John will come, if possible, we can be assured of that. No doubt he has seen the fire before this, and is hurrying to our aid now. But, look, isn't the smoke getting thick!"
"And what is that roaring sound?" Jess asked. "It is growing louder."
"It must be the fire; it's getting nearer all the time."