lies and their goods and chattels with them. The
street was so blocked by hand carts and jostling crowds, that it
was hopeless to attempt any plan of organization here.

Then all too soon a cry went up that the fire had leaped the street
and had ignited a house on the west side. A groan and a scream of
terror went up as it was seen that this was all too true, and
already great waves of flame seemed to be rushing onwards as if
driven from the mouth of some vast blasting furnace; and the Master
Builder returned to his friends with a very grave face.

"Heaven send the whole city be not destroyed!" he exclaimed; "never
have I seen fire like unto this fire!

"Reuben, lad, make thy way with all speed to the Lord Mayor, and
tell him of the peril in which we stand. He is the man to find
means to check this fearful conflagration. Would to Heaven it were
good Sir John Lawrence who were Mayor, as he was in the days of the
plague! He was a man of spirit, and courage, and resource. But I
much fear me that poor Bludworth has little of any of these
qualities. Nevertheless go to him, Reuben. Tell him what thou hast
seen, and tell him that if he wishes not to see London burned about
his ears it behoves him to do something!"

Reuben dashed off along Thames Street westward to do his errand,
and then the Master Builder turned gravely to his friend and said:

"Harmer, I like not the aspect of things. I fear me that even we
are likely to stand in dire peril ere long. Yet we shall have time
to take steps for our salvation, seeing the wind is our friend so
far, though Heaven alone knows when that may change, and drive the
flames straight down upon us. Yet, methinks, we shall have time for
what must be done. Wilt thou work hand in hand with me for the
salvation of our goods and houses, even though it may mean present
loss?"

"I will do whatever is right and prudent," answered Harmer,
hurrying hack towards the bridge with his friend and with those who
had followed them, and in a short while they were surrounded by a
number of frightened neighbours, all asking what awful thing was
happening, and what could be done to save themselves.

The Master Builder was naturally the man looked to, and he gave
answer quietly and firmly. If the fire once leaped Thames Street,
and attacked the south side, nothing short of a miracle could save
the bridge houses, unless some drastic step were taken; and the
only method which he could devise in the emerge