“The radio—we must save that,” cried Jessie, feverishly, springing to her feet. “Oh, we must hurry—hurry——”
“We have it almost packed, Jess, dear,” said Nell, who had been fussing over Burd and lamenting the fact that she and Fol had not known of his crippled ankle. “I have it nearly dismantled, and Fol has been carefully packing the parts.”
“One can always depend on Nell,” said Amy, as she bestirred herself wearily to help in the packing. “What do we do next?”
Aunt Emma answered the question in a brief and efficient manner, and it was only a short time before everything was in readiness for a quick retreat to the lake in case such an action became necessary.
“Guess we can’t do any more, Jess,” said Amy, soberly, as she joined her chum at a window that commanded a view of the burning forest. “Our game will have to be a waiting one from now on.”
“That is the most horrible part of it,” cried Jessie, in a fierce whisper. “To have to stay here and watch—and do nothing! Amy, I can’t bear it!”
CHAPTER XXI
A TERRIBLE BATTLE
“What shall we do about Darry?” cried Jessie, despairingly, as the Radio Girls stood arm in arm before the door of the lodge watching the terrifying progress of the fire. “If he has been imprisoned in the path of that fire——”
“Please, don’t, Jess!” implored Amy, shrinking back as a breath of hot wind fanned her face. “I can’t bear to think of my poor brother. If only we could have found him before the fire started!”
“Don’t go on believing the very worst,” chided Nell, gently. “He may have been imprisoned in that hut we saw in the swamp for all we know.”