or;
but before he could reach it, a huge form darkened the opening, and a
man came staggering in.

Thad knew that he was looking upon Cale Martin, long feared by every man
in the pine woods of Northern Maine. But to tell the truth he did not
look very formidable now; for his beard was singed, his face blackened,
and his clothes smouldering in patches, as though he might have been
compelled to run the gauntlet of fire in returning from his self-imposed
errand of mercy in connection with the impounded fox whelps.

He stared hard at them as though he could not just believe his senses.
Thad saw he was very nearly overcome with the smoke that had entered his
lungs, as well as the burns he must have received. And just then the boy
realized something of the real horror of a terrible forest fire. At a
distance it might seem a glorious spectacle; but close at hand its
dreadful nature was revealed.

Jim knew that this was neither the time nor place to waste a second in
trying to enter into explanations. Those could all keep until a more
convenient season. Cale Martin was all but played out. He swayed as he
stood there, and Thad could see that the wonderful strength that had
many years before made him the marvel of the lumbering camps, as Jim had
told him, was very nearly utterly exhausted.

And yet so great a hold had his dislike for Jim Hasty taken upon his
nature, that at sight of the man in his home he frowned blackly.

"We gotter mosey outen this right smart, Cale," said Jim, boldly. "Keep
ther talkin' till we is safe from ther fire. Plenty o' time then tew
tell me what yew wants tew say. I kim hyar tew see yew 'cause Lina, she
made me. Naow, let's be headin' fur ther pond, 'less we wants tew be
roasted an' stewed an' b'iled."

The giant did not seem inclined to make the first move to save himself;
and it burst upon Thad's mind that he was really in some sort of a daze.
Perhaps the heat of the fire had affected his head, and he could not
gather his wits. He may have headed straight back to the cabin, through
the border of the fire, simply because of that intuition which will
carry a man, walking in his sleep, past dangers and difficulties.

Jim must have guessed something of the same thing. That would account
for his daring to leap forward, and catch hold of Cale's sleeve, though
he had to beat out a small conflagration at the same time.

"Help me get him away!"

Jim did not say this, but his look did, as he turned