As they ran, they were increasingly alarmed to observe that the column of smoke rapidly was growing blacker.
“It’s coming from directly behind the Castle!” Brad cried.
“That’s the area where Ross was supposed to clean up the brush,” Dan panted, hard at his heels. “You don’t think he was crazy enough to try to burn the stuff?”
“Don’t know,” Brad returned, leaping over a small ditch. “Everything is so dry, it will be hard to stop a fire once it gets any sort of start.”
The boys were dismayed as they drew closer to see that the Castle was enveloped in a wispy smoke which seeped out from the woods.
Furthermore, a light breeze was blowing toward them.
“The Castle will be sure to go unless that fire can be checked fast!” Brad gasped.
The boys now were close enough to be certain that the smoke did not come from a brush pile.
“Dan, we’ve got to work fast!” the older boy directed, halting abruptly. “We can’t do anything here alone and without equipment. We’ve got to call a fire department.”
“The city engine won’t come this far out.”