shouting excited orders to the crowd of scared woodland folk.

The fire crept nearer to Wild Rose Cottage.

"It will be a shame if Dr. Whiskers loses his new house," said Sir Spider.

"He shall not lose it," replied Uncle Squeaky. "I'll set a back fire." He
rushed into the house and got a pawful of matches. Then he set fire to the
little bushes behind Grand-daddy's house.

"Neighbor Squeaky has gone crazy!" declared Sir Spider to Daddy
Grasshopper. But as they watched him beat the burning bushes to a
blackened mass, they saw that Uncle Squeaky knew what he was doing.

"Neighbor Squeaky has saved Dr. Whisker's house. That burned patch cannot
burn again, Sir Spider," cried Daddy Grasshopper. "Come on. We will make a
little fire around Pa Field-Mouse's cottage."

"Pile of Rails Cottage is on fire!" cried Scamper Squeaky as he trotted by.
"Come on and help Pa Field-Mouse!"

They rushed to the Field-Mouse's Cottage, but the little cedars which
overhung the roof were already a mass of crackling flames. "Nothing more
can be saved for Neighbor Field-Mouse. Help me build back fires up yonder
and save Neighbor Hop Toad's house."

[Illustration: _They worked bravely with Uncle Squeaky for captain._]

They worked bravely with Uncle Squeaky for captain, and, following his
directions, they finally stopped the dreadful fire. Then tired out, they