"But I do. Hark! do you not hear that trumpet?"
We all listened, and loud above the roaring of the flames, which were filling the sky with showers of sparks, and dark, pall-like clouds of smoke, we heard the shrill tones of a trumpet.
"What is the meaning of that blast?" I asked.
"It means that the soldiers are marching to the scene of the conflagration," rejoined Smith, promptly.
"Ah, then they are to lend their aid in suppressing the flames?"
"They merely go for the purpose of seeing the building burn," replied Smith, laconically.
"Explain yourself," I cried, impatiently.
"I will. They are marched to the fire simply for the purpose of being drawn up in a line, and keeping people, who are disposed to work, away from the flames."
I looked at Smith's face, to see if he was not joking; but no, he was perfectly serious, and I began to have doubts about the ability of the Australians to subdue a conflagration under such difficulties.
"Then nothing is done by the thousands of people standing idly by, witnessing the destruction of property?" I asked.