The flames met the falling
rain as though they were unquenchable. Indeed the clouds were
scattering, and second by second the downfall was decreasing.
The tempest of rain was almost over; but the wind remained to fan
the flames that had now broken cover in several spots, as well as
through the tall and hollow tree.
Tom hastened his team toward the main road that passed through
the tamarack swamp. At one end of it was Pine Camp; in the other
direction, after passing the knoll on which the Vanderwillers
lived, the roadway came out upon a more traveled road to the
forks and the railroad.
Pine Camp was the nearest place where help could be secured to
beat down the fire, if, indeed, this were at all possible.
There was a telephone line there which, in a roundabout way,
could be made to carry the news of the forest fire to all the
settlements in the Big Woods and along the railroad line.
But Nan seized Tom's arm and shook it to call his attention as
the horses neared the road.
"Tom! For goodness' sake!" she gasped.
"What's the matter now?" her cousin demanded, rather sharply, for
his burns were painful.
"Toby, the Vanderwillers! What will become of them?"
"What d'you mean?" asked Tom, aghast.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213