ell of smoke was stronger now and the flames were brighter as
though they were eating their way through heavier underbrush.

Curt's features were plainly visible in the half light of the early
evening and Janet could see the lines of worry on his face.

"It's worse than I thought from what Helen told us," he said, shielding
his eyes and looking across the intervening valleys to the ridge down
which the fire was now racing.

"Is it serious?" asked Janet. "Are we in danger?"

Curt stared at her hard, wondering just how much he dared to tell her.
Then he decided she might as well know the truth and he spoke frankly.

"The wind's rising all the time and this fire's spreading rapidly. We've
got to get out of here within the next few minutes or we may never leave
these valleys alive."

Chapter Seven

RACING FLAMES

Janet felt an inward surge of terror sweep over her, chilling her mind
and body. But it lasted for only an instant. She was too calm, too
sensible to become panic stricken now. They might be in a tight spot but
she had confidence that the angular, capable cowboy would be able to
pull them through.

"We've got to get back to the bus and warn them of the danger. Maybe the
boys will have the engine fixed by the time we're back."

Curt turned for a final look at the advancing wall of smoke and flame.

A steady procession of small animals, driven from their homes, was
racing through the underbrush and an occasional frightened rabbit would
almost bump into them in its blind haste to find safety.

"Come on!" said Curt. He held out his hand and Janet grasped it. With
the cowboy leading the way, they plunged down the slope. It was risky
business, going at that speed, but speed was essential and they dared a
twisted ankle to reach the bus with the least possible delay.

Janet dropped the stick she had been carrying and grasped Curt's strong
wrist with both of her own hands. They were fairly flying down the
incline, Janet's legs working mechanically as she followed the lead of
the cowboy star.

They crashed through a low fringe of underbrush and reached the twisting
roadway. Half a hundred feet away was the bus, its lights glowing, but
no other sign of animation coming from the mechanical monster.

The smoke was not yet thick in this valley and for this Janet was
thankful for the other members of the company obviously had not become
panicky.

Billy Fenstow saw them first.

"What about the fire?" h