“Which won’t be very long,” smiled Andy, as he noted the look of horror which settled on Sallie’s face. “I’ll speak to some of the boys and we’ll have a regular, old-fashioned house-raising.”
Before either of the girls could ask what such an occasion was like, Andy was summoned, and he waited only long enough to give the boys directions for action in case it should be necessary to resort to heroic measures at the dam, then hurried away.
“I think he’s just grand!” exclaimed Sallie, following the lithe form of the agent as he walked away.
“Better chain your children up, Momsy,” chuckled Ted. “If you don’t you’ll lose them out here. I’m just holding Phil by the hair of his head.” And without giving his brother time to reply, he started the horses, while the rest of the little family walked.
As they stopped at the dam and looked down upon the burning section, the flames leaped upon the hut.
“Oh, dear, there goes our home. I feel just as though we were losing everything, section and all,” wailed Margie, bursting into tears.
The words, recalling their anything but satisfactory visit at the Land Office, caused the boys to glance sharply at one another, and neither could find the heart to speak.
After the first terrific flash as the grass and brush caught fire, the blaze soon died down, and the fire-fighters were soon able to check the ground-running tongues of flame, even before they reached the area which Andy had flooded.
At last, word was brought to the anxious little group that all danger was over, and in ecstasy of thanksgiving they dropped on their knees and prayed.