only available avenue of escape. "Jump! It will be too late in another
minute!"

Above the crackle of the flames could be heard men yelling:

"Come on, boys! Come on! The roof's going!"

With a look at his chum, Vincent pulled the blanket more closely about
him, leaving only a small opening near his face through which he could
look. Then he ran to the big doors.

Bert stuffed his blanket into the pail, in the bottom of which was a
little water. Then he began to work the pump to get more.

He gave one glance, saw his chum leap through the big opening, with
the curtain of fire, and then, murmuring a hope that he was safe, he
began to work the pump-handle. To his horror no water came. The fire
had eaten down into the cow stable, and melted the pipe that ran from
the pump to the cistern. No water was available to wet his blanket, on
which he depended to save himself from the flames.

"Bert! Bert! Come on! Jump!" he heard some one call.

He caught up his blanket It was merely damp.

"It's got to do!" he murmured. "I'll be scorched, I'm afraid, but
there's no help for it! Here goes!"

Wrapping the covering about him, he dashed across the barn floor. It
was ablaze in several places under his feet. The cataract of fire was