CHAPTER V

ON THE BURNING BRIDGE

"We'll have to do our own thinking," then said Jane McCarthy, who had
come upon the scene at that moment. She glared at the guide and the
driver, who stood staring dumbly at Harriet.

"We must save those helpless horses," repeated Harriet, her eyes
turning anxiously toward the two patient animals.

"But you girls must not stay here too long," cautioned Miss Elting.

Suddenly Crazy Jane burst forth into a loud hurrah, and, running to the
wagon, returned to the driver with a hand-saw. By this time Margery,
Tommy and Hazel had come cautiously back to where the horses were.

"Saw the timbers out from under the horses," advised Jane. "It may
hurt them to drop into the river, but it's better for them to drown
than to be burned alive! Move quickly, now!"

"Janus," muttered the driver, "we're a pair of mutton-heads!"

"We are," agreed the guide, as he ran to get the other saw.

The rasping of the saws began instantly, the Meadow-Brook Girls moving
closer to observe the work, casting frequent apprehensive glances over
their shoulders at the thick cloud of smoke which issued from the
farther end of the bridge. The fire did not appear to be making much