miserable thing, already half-burned,--and springing on it, ascended
amid the flames.

He had scarcely reached the top of the third story, when he felt it bend
beneath him; he heard the shriek above, the cries below, and turning,
sprang to the ground unharmed, as his treacherous support fell crackling
in the blaze. A shout of joy arose at his wonderful escape, and now they
poured a constant, steady stream beneath the window at which May's face
was discovered by all. A moment, and another ladder, much stouter than
the first, was raised. The undismayed fireman ran up its trembling
rounds, amid the stifling smoke, the eager flames wrapping themselves
around him as he passed; a moment more, and he had reached the terrified
May, caught her hand and lifted her to his side. She gazed a second on
his speaking face--there was a world of meaning in it; she asked no
question--he uttered not a word, but by his eye and hand guided her down
that fiery, dizzy path, so full of danger and of death. A fresh burst of
flame defied the stream of water; it flashed around them while all below
was as silent as the grave, naught heard but the hissing of the blaze
and the crackling of the timbers. May would have fallen, shrinking from
the embrace of the relentless flame; but the fireman caught her in his
arms and leaped to the ground just as the second ladder fell. O, then
there were cries of wild delight, and with renewed vigor the dauntless
men worked against the fire. May's friends came crowding around her; her
father clasped her in his trembling arms, with a whispered "O, May! May!
you are safe!--the old house may burn now!" and the mother shied such
tears as only thankful mothers weep.

But the noble fireman was gone; in vain Hal endeavored to gain some
particulars concerning him, from the members of the company to which he
belonged. They told him that not a single black ball had been cost