med to
be driven.

"Great powers, what a noise! Methinks some church tower has
collapsed. St. Lawrence, Poultney, belike. St. Mary's, Bush Lane,
will be the next. Would I were there to see. I will to the roof of
the house to obtain a better view. Zounds, but this is worth a
hundred plagues! I had never thought to live to see London burned
about my ears. What a noise the fire makes! It is like the rushing
of a mighty flood. Oh, a flood of fire is a fine thing!"

The weird old woman looked like a spirit of the devouring element,
as she stood at her window talking aloud in her strange excitement
and enjoyment of the awful destruction about her. The heat within
the room was becoming intolerable, yet she did not appear to feel
it. The house being well built, with thick walls and well-fitting
windows, resisted the entrance of the great volumes of smoke that
roiled along laden with sparks and burning fragments of wood; but
these fiery heralds were becoming so menacing and continuous, that
the Harmers saw plainly how little time was to be lost if they
would save either the old woman or her valuables.

"Madam," said James Harmer approaching, and forcing his presence
upon the notice of the mistress of the house, "there is little time
to lose if you would save yourself or your goods. We have come to
give such assistance as lies in our power. Will you give me your
authority to bear away hence all such things as may be most readily
transported and are of most value? When we have saved these, belike
you will have looked your fill on the fire. And, at least, you can
see it as well from any other place in the neighbourhood without
this risk. May we commence our task of rescue?"

"Oh yes, my good fellow, take what you will. Dorcas will show you
what is of greatest value. Lade yourselves with spoil, and make
yourselves rich for life. I drove forth the hired varlets who would
fain have robbed me ere they left; but take what you will, and my
blessing with it. Your daughter deserves a dowry at my hands. Take
all you can lay hands upon; I shall want it no more. Ha! I must to
the roof! I must to the roof! Why, if it only lasts till nightfall,
what a sight it will be! Right glad am I that I have lived to see
this day."

Without particularly heeding the words of the strange old woman,
father and son, directed by Dorcas, set about rapidly to collect
and transport to the boat the large quantities of silver plate and
other valuables which,