“It’s no use!” panted Pepper, when the wind sent a sudden eddy of black smoke in his face.

“It would take a regular fire department to put out that blaze!”

“Maybe Captain Putnam will send out the bucket brigade,” answered his chum.

The wind was steadily increasing, and as it whirled around it sent the sparks flying in all directions.  Jack had one ember settle on his hand and Pepper was burnt on the ear.  They got a good deal of smoke in their eyes and soon commenced to cough.  But they kept on throwing all the loose dirt and stones possible on the fire.

“I wish the barrels didn’t have quite so much tar on ’em,” panted Pepper.  “It’s a wonder the roofer left so much inside.”

“He wanted to give you the worth of your money,” answered the young major, grimly.

After what seemed a long time a shout was heard, and then Andy burst into view.

“The bucket brigade is coming with pails of water,” he said.  “And some other cadets are to get rakes and wet swabs and shovels.”

“They can’t come any too quick!” answered Pepper.  “See, two of the trees are burning already.”

“Yes, and two others are catching!” announced Jack.  Then an extra puff of wind sent all of the cadets from the vicinity of the blazing barrels.

“I suppose Ritter and Coulter didn’t dream of such a fire when they started it,” was Andy’s comment.

“Just the same, they are responsible,” answered Jack, gravely.

A yell came from afar, and soon some cadets ran into view, each carrying a bucket of water.  Leading them was George Strong, who had a long-handled rake and a shovel.

“Boys! boys! didn’t you know better than to light a fire here!” cried the teacher.

“We didn’t do it,” answered Jack.

The water was thrown on the blazing barrels, and then the teacher tried to knock them flat with his rake.  But that caused a heavy shower of sparks to ascend, setting fire to some nearby bushes.

“It will be better to use the shovel,” said Jack.  “Dirt will put out such a fire quicker than anything.”

“I believe you, Major Ruddy,” answered Mr. Strong, and then he sent some cadets back for more shovels and a few pickaxes, with which to loosen up the dirt.

Soon many more cadets arrived, and with them Captain Putnam.  Among the number were Coulter and Ritter, and the pair looked much dismayed.

“Say, I didn’t think the fire would spread to the woods,” whispered Gus Coulter.

“Hush!” warned his crony.  “Don’t you admit that we did it.  If it comes to the worst, say it was an accident, that we were trying to light a torch, to sneak the barrels away, when they took fire.”

“All right.”

More water was thrown on the barrels, and then a small army of cadets commenced to dig up dirt and stones, with which to cover the burning objects.  This worked very well on the barrels.  But to reach the trees was different.  One thick cedar was blazing away like a torch—­the flames far above their heads.