“It’s on fire!” added Henry.
“It’s blown up!” yelled Charlie.
“Come on, boys! Come on!” shouted Joe, and he led the way toward the cloud of smoke, which was now pierced here and there by darting tongues of fire. As the boys rushed onward there came other and smaller explosions, like the popping of guns.
CHAPTER III
TO THE RESCUE
For a few moments after the excitement caused by the explosion and fire, the five boys rushed on together, saying nothing. Their eyes were fixed on the distant group of burning buildings, which, being of light and flimsy construction (as is always the case with fireworks factories and powder mills), were burning rapidly. They occupied quite an extent of territory, being well separated so that if one blew up or caught fire there would be less likelihood of all being consumed.
“She sure is a hummer!” cried Harry, as he raced along beside Charlie Ford.
“That’s right!” joined in the red-haired lad.
“The whole thing’s likely to go up if the wind doesn’t shift,” commented Henry Blake. “It’s blowing the flames right toward the main building now.”
“Yes, and they’re all pretty well filled,” said Joe Strong. “This is their busy season, getting ready for the Fourth, you know. There’ll likely be a lot more explosions, and a final big one.”
“There goes one now!” cried Tom Simpson.