Page:Moving Picture Boys and the Flood.djvu/138

128 This house was all aflame on one side, from the water's edge to the roof, but it had not yet kindled on the side where the women appeared. They had made their way to the top floor, perhaps on account of fire being below them.

"Jump!" yelled Blake, as he put aside his camera, for the reel of film had run out, and he did not want to stop to thread in more.

"Yes, jump!" added Mr. Ringold. "We'll save you—it's your only chance!"

"I'm coming!" answered one woman, and she made a dive into some deep water an instant later, evidently being an accomplished swimmer. She came up near the motor boat, and was promptly taken in.

"Come on!" cried Mr. Ringold to the other woman.

She hesitated, and drew back, evidently being in great fear, and she seemed to be saying something, for her lips could be seen to move.

"You must jump!" the manager shouted, as he slowly backed the boat to keep her as nearly as possible in a favorable position for picking up the woman when she dived.

She gave a backward look into the house, and what she saw must have caused her to make up her mind, for she prepared to leap into the flood below her.