He staggered up still further, and fell on the landing. But gaining his
feet again he pushed on, still heading in the right direction. Only for
the knowledge he possessed regarding the interior of the building, Jack
would have lost his bearings then and there. The result must have been
serious indeed.

Along the hall he went. It seemed to grow hotter the further he pushed;
but even that did not daunt him. Once enlisted in a good cause he must
go on, no matter what faced him. Had not Paul said words to that effect,
after telling them what it meant to be a tried and true scout?

And here the opportunity had come to him not half an hour after the
thrilling words were spoken!

Those outside while still sending the buckets of water along, in the
effort to save one portion of the large house, were waiting to see what
came of Jack's attempt at rescue.

"He's lost!" declared one, as the fire broke out in a new place; "see,
that's the tower burning now, and she said the baby was in the room next
there."

"Poor old Jack! to think it should be him to go!" groaned Bobolink; "see,
Paul, there's his father passing the buckets along. He don't even know
his boy is in the old shack! Oh! my, whatever did he take chances like
that for?"

"Because he couldn't stand and see that poor mother shrieking for her
baby. Because he's got the strongest heart of us all! That's why!"
declared Paul, his voice vibrating with love for the chum he might never