them, but look out they don't turn on you."

Cautiously the two boys made their way to where the terrified animals
were. Their mere movement was enough to send the horses off on the run
again. Fortunately the leader smelled the fresh air coming in through
the opened doors. The horse paused a moment on the threshold and
seemed to be staring down into the partly illuminated cow-yard. Would
he jump?

"Go on, old fellow!" called Bert, encouragingly. "Jump! You won't hurt
yourself. It's soft mud. Go ahead, old fellow."

Whether the horse understood, or whether the boy's words calmed him,
could not be told. Certainly he did jump, after a moment's hesitation,
and a glance back at the flames which were coming closer and closer.

The other animals followed in an instant, for they had wanted only a
leader. Above the roar of the flames Bert could hear the thud as the
horses landed in the soft muck of the cow-yard, ten feet below. Then
came a shout as the men rushed forward to secure them.

Bert looked from the big double doors. He could see the horses
floundering around. One had fallen down, but none of them seemed to be
injured. The valuable steeds had been saved by the lad's ready wit.

"I wonder if there's anything more we can save?" asked Vincent.

"Let's see if we can't shove out the mowing machine," suggested Bert.
"If it falls in the muck it can't be damaged much."