another minute. Some of the boxes are beginning to catch now!" he
yelled. "Look out!"

"That's right!" shouted Tom, as he saw that the edge of one of
the wooden cases containing the powder was blazing slightly.
"Lively, Ned!"

Ned held back only for a second. Then, realizing that the time
to act was now or never, and that even if he ran he could hardly
save himself, he advanced to Tom's side. The smoke was choking
and stifling them, and the flames, coming from beneath the auto
truck, made them gasp for breath.

Together Tom and Ned tugged at the nearest case of powder--the
one that was ablaze.

"We--we can't budge it!" panted Tom.

"It--it's caught somewhere," added Ned. "Oh, if Koku were only
here!"

There was a sound behind the lads. A voice exclaimed:

"Master want shovel, so Eradicate say--here it is!"

They turned and saw a big, powerful man, with a simple, child-
like face, standing calmly looking at the burning auto.

"Koku!" cried Tom. "Quick! Never mind the shovel! Get those
powder boxes out of that cart before they go up! Yank 'em out!