“No use wasting our time fighting fire in spots,” Don Miller told them.
“We’ll keep all our strength for the job we’ve got before us,” Hugh explained.
“I only hope we find the place,” said Jack.
“With the poor, frightened kids safe and sound,” Don added, for he was almost as tender-hearted as Billy Worth.
They were now deep in the woods. All around them lay the smoke clouds. It arose from smoldering beds of leaves or stumps that were slowly giving up their substance to the hungry flames.
The low stone wall lay close beside them on the right. Hugh wondered what it had ever been built for, though there were traces of a long-abandoned road to be seen in places.
All of them were constantly on the watch for signs of the dry creek bed which Mrs. Heffner had explained was to be their guide all of the way to where the dry spring was located.
“I think I see it ahead there, Hugh,” announced Jack, presently.
“Yes, you’re right about that,” Don Miller echoed, proving that he, too, had made the discovery.
“It’s about time we struck it,” said Hugh, “because here’s where the wall ends. She described things exactly as they are. It’s a pleasure to follow up such a trail.”