Part 25 (1/2)

The wind had risen to such an extent that it rushed through the tree-tops like an express train,a doleful sound Nor was this all, for they could plainly hear a crackling fro a subdued roar

”Oh! I saw the fire then!” called Will aover their shoulders as they ran, all of therily upward What Mr Mabie had feared all along had actually colad, however, that it had not been through any fault of theirs, since they had built no fire that day

”Frank, it's catching up with us! Whatever shall we do?” panted Bluff, close beside the one he addressed

Frank had been considering this saht outrun the fire, but now he changed his etation so thick, that whenever they tried tovines, or else banging up against the trunks of the foresttheir noses by the contact

”What was he telling us about fighting fire with fire?” asked Jerry, as by this ti not quite so jaunty as usual, but ready to seize upon any opening that promised safety

”That was out on the prairie I don't think the sche for the second blaze to get a start, and we'd be caught between the two fires,” was Frank's reply

”But wepretty soon!” cried Will

[Illustration: ”FRANK, IT'S CATCHING UP WITH US!”--_Page 192_

_The Outdoor Chu Game_]

Indeed, it would appear so They were now enveloped in a pall of s their eyes, made them smart fiercely Not only that, but the fire could be seen in a dozen places behind thee offered such a splendid torch, and the wind urged the conflagration along

”Will's right The old thing's running us neck and crop I believe it's gaining on us right along!” exclaimed Bluff

”Look for a hollow tree!” cried Jerry

”Hu a stor Why, we'd be set burned to a crisp! Say so else!”

shouted Bluff

”What is it, Frank--you know?” demanded Will, who, in this time of need, soed to extricate theot_ to head another way, and try and get out of the path of the fire, if we can Besides, the river lies to the left,” he answered, as cheerily as he could

”The river! Hurrah!” shrieked Will in sudden elation, for the very thought of water was a blessed relief when threatened by fire

”We can duck under, and save our bacon!” cried Jerry

”There you go, confessing to the swine again,” declared Bluff

But in spite of their light words the boys were by this ti woods in their i the fla could now be plainly heard Indeed, the sound began to assuht train rade

Now that they were running al fire, it approached much faster than before