Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/309

Rh the midst of the smoke and flame, just as Dr. Walsh came running down from the house, followed by Bert and the other boys.

“I wonder what all that smoke can be,” Bess had said to Mr. Muir. “I do hope the boys are not in any trouble with their bonfire. I wish I hadn’t let Fred go.”

“He will be safe with Rob,” answered Mr. Muir lightly, as he gathered up the balls on his racket. “What’s that! Somebody crying fire?”

They listened a moment. Then Bess threw down her racket excitedly.

“Mr. Muir, come quick, please. I think it is at the doctor’s, and I feel so worried about Fred!”

Frank Muir could scarcely keep up with her as she hurried along the street, into the doctor’s grounds, and to the burning barn. They reached it at the very moment when Sam, half carrying, half dragging Fred, who had lost consciousness, and hung a limp, dead weight,  staggered out into the open air, and fell  motionless at his side, amid the cheers and tears  of the large crowd that had gathered.