them two gals an' Jeb down trail, right away, and then
the rest of us'll ride up to see if anything kin be done to stop it.
Mebbe it hain't got a headway yet," replied Bill.

But the two girls were now seen riding up the trail as fast as their
horses could travel. Barbara rode first and Eleanor after her, shouting
aloud in a frantic voice. The men waited fearfully to hear what new
trouble assailed them.

Barbara almost ran down Mr. Brewster's horse in her blind fear, and
when questioned, could not speak. Eleanor then rode up and looked so
angry that she could scarcely explain.

"Bob declared she heard noises behind us and on one side, and then,
without giving me or Jeb any warning, she started her horse at a run, to
come and meet you men. She cried that it would be safer with a crowd
than alone with only Jeb and me and the rifles we knew nothing about. I
had to ride after her to see that she reached you safely. Now I'll go
back and keep guard again."

"Stop, Nolla! Although you are a brave little girl, it will be of no use
to keep guard now. Jeb and you will have to ride down Top Notch Trail as
fast as you can, and meet Simms who is coming up with Mrs. Brewster.
Send Simms and the men on to help us, but you three women take Jeb and
go right on down. There's a forest fire." Mr. Brewster added the last
portentous words in an awed voice.

"Oh, my goodness! Will we be hurt?" cried Barbara.

But Eleanor thought not of herself. She immediately cried: "Are Polly
and Anne safe?"

"Polly--whar's she?" demanded Bill, suddenly realizing that the girl was
not one of the party.

"She went to the cave with Mike to watch there, in case any
claim-jumpers tried to stake their ground," groaned Sam Brewster.

"Is the cave far from here?" added Bill, quickly.

"Not as far as Top Notch Trail," replied Eleanor, seeing a possible way
for her to get to Polly and Anne.

"But some one ought to send Simms on to us and then ride on down trail
to signal the forest-rangers' lookout so's they could come and help
fight the fire," said another man.

"Can't Bob and I join Polly and Anne in the cave where we will be safe
from any fire, and you send Jeb down to signal Simms and the
forest-rangers?" asked Eleanor excitedly, seeing how urgent was the need
for instant action.

"All right; take this young man for protection, and get to the cave as
quick as you can. You gals wait in the cave till you-all hear from us
again. Send Mike down tra