now, hissing and sputtering as they struck the water where they soon
became blackened embers.

Janet, turning toward the opposite bank, saw a clump of underbrush burst
into flame. The fire, whipped by the rising wind, spread out rapidly.
Venturing a peep above the creek bank, a searing blast of heat struck
her forehead and she could feel her hair curl. One glance was enough,
for a towering wall of flame seemed to be rising straight into the sky.

Janet ducked back under the protection of the bank and dipped the cloth
into the water again. She straightened up again and glanced toward the
bus. The cameraman who had been grinding away steadily had deserted the
bus and was dragging his camera with him. He reached the shelter of the
bank and other willing hands helped him set up the machine in a position
that was well protected.

It was impossible to hear now and Janet felt Helen crowding close toward
her. They looked at each other through staring eyes--eyes that reflected
the inward fear that gripped their hearts. The heat was stifling now.
The cloths they had soaked with water were drying with incredible
rapidity and Janet remembered Curt's warning to breath as lightly as
possible. Helen, shoeless, was standing in the water. A hot ember
dropped beside them and struck one of Helen's legs before it had cooled.
She winced at the pain, but there was no escape.

It seemed as though the entire opposite slope of the valley suddenly
burst into flame and the intensity of the heat redoubled. Janet held her
breath and dipped down into the stream to wet the cloth again. Helen did
likewise a moment later and they gained some relief.

Billy Fenstow and Curt Newsom were crouched beside the cameraman who was
still grinding away at the red terror.

Again the cloths on their faces dried and their breaths came in great
choking gasps. Janet felt as though her heat-seared lungs would burst.
She wanted to cry, but the tears were whipped away by the hot blasts.

The flame on the opposite slope seemed to reach a new peak of intensity
and the water at their feet ran crimson. Then the roar lessened, the
peak of the fire was past.

Janet, through smoke-rimmed eyes, saw it sweep over the far crest of the
valley. Scattered fires were left burning in its wake, but the main
advance of the fire had rushed on seeking new conquests.

As the red glow ebbed, they crept out from under the bank and dropped
with abandon into the shallow waters. It matt