The smoke was growing thicker, and already they could see the sparks floating overhead.  From a distance they heard a wild cry, but could not make out what it was.

Turning around, they started for the spot where they had left their boat.

In their mad rush to gain the craft, they did not notice that they got off the trail until they were halted by a mass of brushwood on all sides of them.

“This can’t be right!” panted Giant.  “I didn’t notice this before.”

“We have made some mistake!” ejaculated Shep.  “Maybe we are going away from the lake!”

They gazed around.  The smoke was growing thicker, and now a few burning brands fell close by.

“One thing is certain, we can’t stay here!” came from Snap.  “Let us go straight downhill.  That will bring us to water sooner or later.”

This was considered good advice and all acted on it without delay.  The smoke was now so thick they could scarcely see in any direction.  The light of the sun was obscure, making it as dark as if it was night.

“Here is a little stream!” called out Giant, presently.  “This must run into the lake!”

All stepped into the brook and followed it for several hundred feet.  Then Snap called a halt.

“Here is our lost trail!”

“Snap is right,” said Shep.  “Come on, the boat cannot be far off.”

Once more they went on, the smoke growing so thick they had to crouch down to get their breath.  The tears were streaming from their eyes, and Whopper let out a yell as a burning brand floated down on his neck, raising a blister.

“Here is the boat, thank fortune!” said Snap, a minute later.

How they tumbled into the craft they scarcely knew.  The painter was cut and they shoved off into the lake, just as a fierce gust of wind sent a cloud of smoke and a shower of sparks down upon them.

“Phew! but that was a narrow escape!” muttered Shep, when the shore had been left behind and they could catch their breath.

“We are not out of danger yet!” said Snap.  “This fire may be worse than we think.  If it takes in the whole lake district, we’ll be hemmed in on all sides.”

“Look!” exclaimed Giant.  “Am I mistaken, or is a storm coming up?” and he pointed to the sky.

“Those are certainly clouds, not smoke,” said Whopper.  “Oh, I hope it does rain and puts out the fire.  I shouldn’t like to see this fine forest destroyed.”

“Nor I,” added Snap.

“If it is burned down it will be Mr. Felps’s loss,” came from Giant.  “He said he had bought the district up, you’ll remember.”

As they pulled along, well away from the shore, they suddenly heard a mad cry for aid.

“What’s that?” asked Snap.

“A man on shore!” ejaculated Whopper.  “See him—–­over on yonder rocks!”

“It is that Barrock!” said Shep.

“Help me!” came from the man, who was waving his arms wildly.  “Take me off, or I’ll be burnt up!”