above the crackle of the flames.

"Those are the horses!" cried Bert. "Come on! We'll try to save 'em!"




CHAPTER II

IN PERIL


Accompanied by several men and boys, Bert ran toward the barn. The
whole front, and part of the roof, were now blazing. The structure was
beyond saving, as far as anything the bucket brigade could do, but the
members of that primitive fire department did not stop.

The buckets were passed from hand to hand, but such was the haste that
a full bucket seldom reached the end of the line. Usually about half
the fluid was spilled. And what little did get there was merely tossed
against the side of the barn that was not yet burning, though from the
way it was smoking it would evidently not be long before it burst into
flames.

Once more came the frightened neighing of the horses, tied in their
stalls. Their cries were weird and terrifying, for a horse seldom
gives expression to its fear in that manner.

"You can't get 'em out!" called Constable Stickler, who had heard what
had been said. He left his supervision of the bucket brigade and ran