me in the second time and ran
upstairs, the flame breaking through the wall at the staircase;
thought all my children were safe, and hoped my wife was some
way got out. I then remembered my books, and felt in my pocket
for the key of the chamber which led to my study. I could not
find the key, though I searched a second time. Had I opened
that door, I must have perished.

I ran down and went to my children in the garden, to help them
over the wall. When I was without, I heard one of my poor
lambs, left still above-stairs, about six years old, cry out,
dismally, "Help me!" I ran in again, to go upstairs, but the
staircase was now all afire. I tried to force up through it a
second time, holding my breeches over my head, but the stream of
fire beat me down. I thought I had done my duty; went out of
the house to that part of my family I had saved, in the garden,
with the killing cry of my child in my ears. I made them all
kneel down, and we prayed to God to receive his soul.

I tried to break down the pales, and get my children over into
the street, but could not; then went under the flame and got
them over the wall. Now I put on my breeches and leaped after
them. One of my maidservants that had brought out the least
child, got out much at the same time. She was saluted with a
hearty curse by one of the neighbours, and told that we had
fired the house ourselves, the second time, on purpose! I ran
about inquiring for my wife and other children; met the chief
man and chief constable of the town going from my house, not
towards it to help me. I took him by the hand and said "God's
will be done!" His answer was, "Will you never have done your
tricks? You fired your house once before; did you not get
enough by it then, that you have done it again?" This was cold
comfort. I said, "God forgive you! I find you are chief man
still." But I had a little better soon after, hearing that my
wife was saved; and then I fell on mother earth and blessed God.

I went to her. She was alive, and could just speak.
She thought I had perished, and so did all the rest, not having
seen me nor any share of eight children for a quarter of an
hour; and by this time all the chambers and everything was
consumed to ashes, for the fire was stronger than