now fiercer than ever over the opening of the big doors. Holding the
blanket to protect his head, he took a running start, and jumped.

Straight through the big opening he went, and he heard a confused
cheer and shout as he appeared. He felt the hot breath of the fire all
about him. He smelled the scorching wool, the burning straw and hay.
His nose and mouth seemed full of cinders. He felt himself falling
down, down, down. He tried to keep himself upright, that he might land
on his feet, but, in spite of himself, he felt that he was turning on
his back. He twisted and squirmed, as does a diver who wants to cleave
the water cleanly. Oh, how Bert wished he was diving into the old
swimming hole, instead of into a fiery mass of straw and hay!

He landed on the ground in a crouching position. He seemed to be
smothering in a mass of black cinders that rose up in a feathery cloud
all about him. He could hardly breathe.

Then he felt some one grab him--several hands began carrying him
forward. An instant later his blanket was unwrapped from his head, and
he found himself in the midst of a crowd of men and boys.

"Look out! The blanket's afire!" some one called, and Constable
Stickler kicked the burning mass of wool to one side.

Suddenly there was a great crash, and the roof of the barn toppled in.
A great shower of sparks arose, and there was a dense cloud of smoke.
Then the flames seemed to die down, for there was little left for them
to feed on.

"You got out just in time," said Vincent, coming up to Bert, and