But no answer.
"He must have hidden somewhere when the darkness came," was the mother's despairing conclusion.
"The root-house!" Ruth's words told the awful story.
"If I could save him!" And with a silent prayer for strength, she once more dashed into the stifling smoke.
Hour after hour crept by; it seemed to the terrified children as if they must have sat there for days; and they were so hungry! and Ruth never would come!
Presently, after long waiting, the darkness began to lift somewhat, and they could see each other's faces. Little by little the gloom cleared away until the whole atmosphere was of a dusky hue. And still they waited. At length, starting up with an exclamation of joy as rapid footsteps approached, they heard their father's voice.
"Ruth? Hal?"
"Here," roared Hal, starting to his feet.
In a moment more Mr. Leonard bounded down the steep bank of the creek, and with him Jake Murphy, who had started from the village to warn Mr. Leonard, reaching the farm just as that first overwhelming darkness dropped upon the village.