Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/117

Rh upon you and Oliver and paid no attention as to how we were riding."

"That shows that we must have a leader from henceforth," laughed Oliver. "Now, don't get mad about it," he went on, as Dan's face darkened. "It was everybody's fault. After this, when we are out, we'll take turns at leading—and then there won't be any further trouble." And so it was arranged.

But now the fire ahead demanded all of our attention. It was spreading rapidly, until we could make out half a dozen distinct piles.

"By George! do you know what I think?" burst out Oliver suddenly.

"Well?" I queried.

"I think that is a village afire!"

"Just my idea!" came from Dan. "Come on, fellows, we may be able to assist some unfortunates."

He started on a run, and Oliver and I followed him. The flames mounted higher than ever, reddening the sky and marking our path with great clearness. We were leaping over loose rocks, but soon a grassy plain followed, and now we saw the fire more clearly than ever.

It was indeed a native village, built for the most part of bamboo. On one side of the street were eight dwellings and seven of these were already burning, with the sparks falling thickly on the