Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/306

274 but one thing to do,—get him out. You call back to him that I’m coming; I want to save my breath. I’ll need it all,” he added, as he gazed at the seething flame.

Rob sprang up and caught him.

“Sam, you can’t! You mustn’t! You’ll be burned. I was the one to blame, for I told cousin Bess I’d see to him. Let me go!”

Sam shook him off.

“No, Bob. You’re not strong enough to bring him out; and besides—you’re the only one at home, and if— But I’ll be all right. I can’t let him be burned.”

“Wait, Sam! Somebody else will come in a minute,” said Phil.

“There ain’t any minutes to waste,” said Sam bravely. “Don’t you worry. I’ll be all right.”

Followed by the awe-stricken boys, who, seeing that nothing could change his purpose, silently submitted to his will, he went quickly to the farther end of the barn, where the fire was only just appearing. Hastily pulling off his light summer coat, he threw it over his head, and, guided by Fred’s cries, plunged into