one lighted almost on top of them.  Then others followed in quick succession, so he was forced to stand on guard above the injured man.  Desperately he fought the shower of flaming death, hurling aside each ember ere it could alight upon Randall’s body.  The heat now was almost unbearable.  His hands and face were scorched, and his hair singed.  How much longer could he fight the demon? he wondered.  Would its hot breath lessen, or would it increase and devour him?  The roar of the fire was appalling.  On all sides it was raging and so dense was the smoke, and so overcome was he with his strenuous exertions, that he felt his strength rapidly weakening.  Again and again, he nerved himself to the contest, and flung aside the falling embers with the desperation of despair.  At last, after an almost superhuman effort, he flung out his hand to ward off another burning missive, when all power deserted him, and with a cry he fell forward full upon a large bolder.

He was aroused by a drop of moisture upon his cheek.  Then another, and still another, and he knew that the blessed rain had come to his relief.  Oh, how good it was to lie there, and feel the refreshing shower upon his hot face and hands.  He knew, too, that the rain would quench the fire for a time, at least, and make it possible for him to escape.  He must reach the island to find out about his mother and Jess, and how they had fared.  The rain by now had developed into a regular downpour, and the raging fire had been quenched as if by magic.  The dense volumes of smoke no longer rolled over the land, and as John looked out upon the blackened plains a scene of desolation met his eyes.  The forest on every side was in ruins, even to the lake, a glimpse of which he could see through the stark flame-swept trees.  But how far beyond had the fire extended?  That was the question which filled him with anxiety.  Had it reached the island, which here was but a few yards from the mainland, or had it been checked by the lake and the rain?  This he must find out, and at once.

With difficulty he rose to his feet, for he was bruised and sore, and stepped over to where Randall was lying.  Pulling away the coat, he laid his hand upon the man’s shoulder, shook him, and told him to get up, as the danger was over.  A peculiar muttering sound was the only response, and as John dragged back the prostrate body from between the boulders and looked upon the man’s face, he was astonished to see the strange vacant expression in his eyes.  Then his lips began to move, and he stared fearfully around.

“Don’t let it get me!” he cried.  “For God’s sake, keep it away!  Look, look, it’s coming!”

“Come, come, sir, you’re all right,” Hampton soothed, certain now that the man’s mind was somewhat unbalanced by the fearful ordeal through which he had recently passed.  “It is raining hard now; don’t you feel it?  The fire is all out, so you have nothing more to fear.”