"Great Scott! He'll burn to death in there!" Hal cried.

"Well, why didn't the big chump come out?" said Chester.

"Maybe he was hit by a bullet and killed," said Hal.

"Yes; or perhaps he is wounded, and unable to drag himself out,"
said Chester.

"By Jove!" said Hal. "I never thought of that!"

Quickly he unstrapped his sword belt and drew off his coat.

"What are you going to do?" cried Chester in alarm.

"I'm going in after him," replied Hal grimly.

"But you'll be killed!" expostulated Chester. "You couldn't live in that
seething mass of flame!"

"Nevertheless, I am going to try and bring him out," said Hal quietly.

He drew his handkerchief from his pocket, and quickly wetting it from his
canteen, tied it over his mouth and nose. Then, brushing aside the
protests of Chester and the men, he plunged through the door of the
burning building.

Inside he could dimly make out his surroundings. Quickly he scanned the
floor for a sight of the occupant, but saw no sign of him. Then, at one
side of the barn he made out a ladder, leading to a loft. He ran to it