companion seemed to pluck a little new spirit from the encouraging
shout, and his lagging feet began to show more animation. In this way
they hurried out of the already burning forest, and found themselves on
the brink of the swift current of the valley stream.

"Jump in! The water's fine!" shouted Jerry, who, with Bluff, had
submerged himself up to his shoulders.

"But my camera! I can't ruin it in the water!" shouted the obstinate
Will, as he looked eagerly around for some place to conceal the object
which he held in so much reverence.

"Under those rocks! We chucked our guns there!" called Bluff, pointing
out the spot, in his eagerness to help matters along.

Will hastened to thrust the beloved camera into the cavity that lay
beneath the rocks, and Frank, nothing loth, also pushed his rifle into
the same place. Then it was ludicrous to see how quickly they made a
plunge into the river.

Their immersion did not come a minute too soon. Frank knew that Will's
garments were on fire in several places, and did not doubt but that his
own must be in the same condition, for the sparks were raining all
around them.

"This is all right," said the irrepressible Jerry, jumping up and down
as he tried to hold out against the strong current.

"All I know is that we are in luck to have this blessed old river
handy," said Frank, with more or less feeling in his voice, as he
watched the fire flash from tree to tree in pursuing its course.

"Yes, it's a queer world. Only a few days ago it came near ending my
life up at the cataract, and now it makes amends by saving it," remarked
Jerry.

"The fire doesn't seem to jump across the river," observed Will.

"No; and I don't think it will, unless the wind changes quickly," said
Frank.

"But it seems bound to get to our camp inside of an hour or two. What
d'ye suppose they'll do with all the duffle?" inquired Bluff uneasily.

"I'm not worried about that. Mr. Mabie will scent trouble a long way
off, and find a refuge among the rocks, if necessary; but I'm inclined
to think the fire will never get to him," replied Frank.

"Do you believe the wind will shift, then, and blow back on us?" asked
Will.

"I'm not a wind prophet. What I had in mind was that the fire would be
put out before it got three miles from here."

"Put out! Do you mean to say they've a fire department up here?"
demanded Will.

"Why, certainly; but it doesn't cost them a cent to maintain it.
Somebody just pu