Part 25 (2/2)

”I felt a spark on my face, fellows!”

Frank was not at all surprised to hear Will say this, for he, too, had experienced the sa not half a minute before He had nothis chums still more

”Keep on, felloas all he said, for he needed every bit of breath he could muster

Desperately they tried to increase their pace, but found it hard ith sothem Will tumbled more than any of the others, so his ca more about it than his own person

Finally Frank one?” he de, were horrified to find their chuht on, you fellows! Don't you dare stop, or follow et Will! The river's close by!” he called out, and then turned around, retracing his steps directly toward the advancing fire

Never had Will seeht of the boy who thus placed his own life in jeopardy in order to save that of his chuony of mind if he had to tell Violet that her twin brother had perished miserably in a forest fire, while he escaped

”Will! Will!” he was shouting frantically, as loud as he could, and this was not anything to boast of, for the s almost constantly

”Hi! Here I a out a voice

Frank pounced on his friend, ith s which way he was trying to go, having beco peril and the state of his own feelings

”Run for all you're worth, Will!” he said, as he clutched the sleeve of the other al those hungry fla double duty, for Will seemed by this ti his s orbs

”A little further, and we're safe!” he kept calling in the ear of his nearly exhausted chu branches flew through the air, and set trees on fire all around them

”It's like the fiery furnace!” Will said three tian to fear his coht of their desperate condition

Oh! if the river would only show up ahead! No doubt the others had, ere now, gained the glorious haven, and were settled up to their necks in the water, ready to defy the power of the opposing ele pair could ever o, Frank! You can ! I tell you we're going to get there, and don't you think for a minute we ain't!” replied Frank furiously, as he pulled Will along

CHAPTER XXII

THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS

”This way, Frank! Turn a little to the left!”

”That's Jerry shouting! Do you hear hi to cheat the old fire yet!” cried Frank

His coing shout, and his lagging feet began to show more ani forest, and found themselves on the brink of the swift current of the valley stream

”Jump in! The water's fine!” shouted Jerry, ith Bluff, had subed himself up to his shoulders

”But my camera! I can't ruin it in the water!” shouted the obstinate Will, as he looked eagerly around for some place to conceal the object which he held in so much reverence