“If we can put out the flames between our back-fire and the brook,” said Lew, “it will make our job a great deal easier.  We’ve already put out part of them.”

They began to work their way back to the brook, following the line of flame and beating out the fire foot by foot as they advanced.  There were many things in their favor.  The dense stand of trees at this point not only checked the wind and made the fire less fierce, but the absence of underbrush also helped to check it.  There was little for it to feed upon but leaves.  So the two boys could work close to it and beat it out with ease, though the smoke was stifling.  Only lads of great determination and courage would have stuck to the task.

With frequent pauses, necessary for rest, they went on, foot by foot, yard after yard, rod upon rod.  “We’re going to make it,” cried Lew presently.  “It’s only a little distance to the end of the flames.”

They increased their efforts.  Quickly they reached the end of the line of fire.  Beyond that the woods had been saved by their first efforts.

“Now we’ll go back over the line,” said Charley, “and make sure the fire doesn’t start up anywhere.”

“I’m dying of thirst,” said Lew.  “Let’s get a drink first.  We are not far from the brook.”

They hurried to the run and threw themselves flat on the bank, drinking copious draughts of the cool and refreshing water.

“I wonder what time it is,” said Charley, as they got to their feet again.  “It seems to me that we’ve been fighting fire for hours.”  He looked at his watch.  “We have,” he cried.  “It’s after eleven o’clock.  The fire crew has been on the way four hours.  They’ll follow their fire trails and get here in a fraction of the time it took us to come in.  They certainly ought to be here soon.  If we can hold the fire for a little bit longer the forest will be safe.”

“Come on,” called Lew.  “We’ve got to do it.”

Again they went along the line of their back-fire.  For rod after rod the fire was conquered.  In other places it still burned; but the back-fire had now eaten its way so far to windward of the cleared space that there was no longer any danger of the flames leaping past the barrier.  So they covered the entire length of their line and found it safe.

When they reached the main fire again they began to beat it out with branches.  Rod after rod they continued to work their way.  But at best their progress was painfully slow.

“Lew,” said Charley of a sudden, “while we are beating out these flames here, there may be another header in front of us traveling like a racehorse.  I’m going to run ahead and see.  You stay here.  Call every little bit and I’ll answer.  I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

He made his way along the line of the fire.  Here in the thick timber it still burned slowly and feebly.  He could trace the line of fire far ahead, and it seemed to have advanced with remarkable evenness.  Nowhere could be seen a header of flame jutting out far in advance of the main line.