CHAPTER III
CONSTERNATION
McRae’s exclamation of alarm was echoed promptly in various forms by Robbie and the members of the Giant team, who came crowding around Joe and Jim.
“No, I’m not hurt, Mac,” replied Joe reassuringly, “though I don’t wonder you think so, from the way I look. That is, I’m not hurt seriously. A bit of a burn and blister here and there, that’s all. Wait till you see the supper I pack away and you’ll know I’m all right.”
“But what has happened, anyway?” asked McRae.
“Oh, I got a bit too near to a burning house down there a way and got singed,” returned Joe.
“Listen to him!” exclaimed Jim. “Here’s the straight of it. Joe went up through a house that was burning like tinder, got an old woman who was trapped in one of the rooms, threw her over his shoulder and made his way down with her through the flames and smoke. Outside of that he didn’t do anything!”
“Just like the old rascal!” exclaimed Robbie, with a glint of admiration in his eyes. “Always Johnny on the spot when there’s anything to be done.”
“But you couldn’t do all that without getting hurt,” declared McRae. “You’re not trying to cover up anything from me, are you, Joe?”