It was indeed the Barnaby place that was going up in flames, and
already the fire had gained much headway. The place was composed
of the saw mill proper and half a dozen sheds used for the storage
of cut lumber. The plant was valued at thirty thousand dollars,
so if it was swept away the loss would be a heavy one.

The mill was a good half mile from the orchard, but the boys were
all good runners and covered the distance in a few minutes, Shep
and Snap arriving there first and little Giant bringing up the
rear, with a face as red as a beet.

A dozen men and boys were on hand, besides the mill workers, and
a bucket brigade had been formed to throw buckets of water taken
from the river on the flames. Some men were bringing out a line
of hose, which was presently attached to the engine of the mill
itself.

"I am going to help here!" cried Snap, throwing off his coat,
and he went to work with a will and the other lads did the same.
The buckets of water came along swiftly, but for a long time
it looked as if the whole plant was doomed to destruction. The
fire was in a shed next to the saw mill itself, a place one end
of which was used as an office by the mill company. The wind
was blowing the sparks directly to the mill proper.

"Phew! but this is hot work!" cried one of the men. "Can't stand
this much longer."