Part 36 (1/2)

Yet this s.p.a.ce of time was enough to carry them over the worst of the burning forest.

Then they began to settle again, the smoke rolling blackly on all sides of them.

”We're goners!” groaned Greson. ”Good-by.”

Splas.h.!.+ What was this? Both could scarcely believe the evidence of their senses.

They had dropped into the very center of a little lake in the midst of the forest. Down they went, with the burning balloon settling over them.

Both knew enough to leap from the basket and dive under. It was well they did so; otherwise they would have been caught in the folds of the ignited monster and drowned like rats in a trap.

Leo took a long dive, and when he came up he was fully fifty feet away from what was left of the once valuable balloon, now partly above and partly below water, and still burning and hissing.

”Larry, where are you?” he called out.

He received no reply, but a moment later perceived his a.s.sistant puffing and blowing not a dozen feet away.

”This is awful!” spluttered Greson. ”We've escaped from fire to be drowned.”

”Nonsense! Come, let us swim ash.o.r.e.”

”How can we do that when the fire is on all sides of the lake?” was Greson's dismayed answer.

”I'll find some spot to land, never fear,” was Leo's confident reply.

He led the way, and Greson, being a good swimmer, easily followed.

The firebrands were thick about them, and often they had to duck to get out of the way of being burned. It was with difficulty that they could get any fresh air.

To one side of the lake, which was not over three hundred feet in diameter, Leo beheld a number of high rocks comparatively free from burning brush. Hither he directed his course.

”We can get on the rocks, if nothing else,” he said.

”Yes, and have our feet blistered,” growled Greson. ”I'll bet the stones are as hot as pepper.”

”We'll try them, anyway.”

The young gymnast swam around with great care before he essayed to land.

Presently he discovered a little cove, and further on a split in the rocks several feet in width.

”Just the spot! Come,” he shouted to Greson.

He led the way into the narrow opening. Fifteen feet further on was a bit of a cave, and into this the pair crawled on hands and knees.

It was much cooler in the cave than it had been outside. By lying flat on the flooring they managed to get a current of fresh air. There was also a little pool there, and both washed the sweat and smoke from their faces and procured a drink. They were exhausted, and only too glad to about lie down and rest in their safe retreat.

”A narrow escape, truly,” said Leo with a s.h.i.+ver.