"And I hope it won't come to that, or anything like it," Dick replied.
"But just the same, you're going to be scared until you find out? Is that it?" laughed Harry Hazelton.
Dick flushed, but he answered honestly:
"Until something happens I can't tell whether I'm going to be scared or not. Anyway, perhaps I won't show the greatest amount of fright that is displayed around here."
"Now, you're answered, Harry," muttered Dave in a low voice, his eyes flashing. "No fellow in this crowd has any right to doubt that Dick Prescott is all there with the grit when it's called for."
"Can't a fellow joke?" asked Hazelton.
"But, while all this talk is going on," chattered Dan, "I'm not growing any warmer."
"All lend a hand, and we'll get the fireplace cleaned out and the fire going," urged Dick.
After that they made matters fly. The old ashes and hot embers were taken outside and spread. Logs were laid and coal oil spread over them. A match was touched, flames leaped up in response to the heavy draft of the broad chimney, and the interior of the old cabin seemed ablaze.
"My, but that's going to be plenty hot, and some more," chuckled Dan.