Again did John Luce do credit to his college baseball training, for, hurriedly placing the girl baby on the ground he put up his hands to receive the boy.
"Jump yourself, Prescott!" bawled the submaster hoarsely.
But Dick was already in the air. With the flames shooting up and seeming fairly to lick his face, Dick had had no time to calculate his jump.
On the ground, some feet beyond the wagon, Prescott landed, sprawling on all fours.
He leaped up, however, his face twitching yet with a laugh on his lips.
Behind him the whole load of hay now flared up, crackling and hissing.
"Hurry back out of the heat!" yelled John Luce, leaping forward, seizing young Prescott and dragging him several yards away.
Dick turned in time to see the whole glowing mass cave in.
Had he arrived on the scene a few seconds later than he did both children would have perished miserably.
Now, from the house came a white-faced man, running as though some demon animated him. Behind him came a woman even paler.