There was no need nor time for words. Instantly the two remaining paddles were seized, and the scow was headed up and around the bend. It came to them all in a flash how strong the wind was blowing from the west; that the woods of Dunn Township, altogether proprietors' land, adjoined Brayton, extending to the top of the hill that overlooked the village; and each boy's heart turned pale at the prospect.
"It's all black growth, too," groaned Charley, "and full of old dry tops, where they've been lumbering year after year—just a regular tinder-box. This wind'll carry fire from it a mile anyway. Pull, boys, pull!"
And they pulled. But the fire was getting under good headway when they reached the spot. The smoke was rolling up blacker and thicker, and through it the boys could see the red flickering tongues of flame.
"Take the pails—your hats—anything that'll hold water," cried Charley, "and wet your jackets—wet yourselves all over."
"PAILFUL AFTER PAILFUL OF WATER WAS DASHED UPON THE FIRE."
He was obeyed. Pailful after pailful of water was dashed upon the fire, which had been built beside an old dry pine stub; and they were really subduing it, when a sudden tempestuous flurry of wind scattered the burning embers in all directions; and presently, before the boys were able fairly to realize that the mischief had been done, a dozen tiny puffs of smoke started up around. In reality everything was dry as tinder.
"We've got to fight it—fight it hard, boys," said Charley, between his gritted teeth. "I'd like to wring the necks of those Indians."
Well, and how they battled the fire that scorching July day! They stamped it out; they smothered it with earth; they dashed water over it; they stifled it with their wet jackets, blistering faces, hands, and feet without for a moment minding the pain. More than once they were sure they had conquered, and made the woods ring with a shout of triumph, only to see, almost before the echoes died away, another puff of smoke starting up, and another. Their throats were parched, and rattled when they tried to speak, and their eyes were smarting and inflamed with the smoke.
"It's no use, boys; we can't do it," one or another would say; and then they would fall to work with greater vigor than before, if that were possible.