Page:Susanna Wesley (Clarke 1886).djvu/85

Rh ber as usual, we had all been lost. I threw myself out of bed, got on my waistcoat and nightgown, and looked out of the window; saw the reflection of the flame, but knew not where it was; ran to my wife's chamber with one stocking on, and my breeches in my hand; would have broken open the door, which was bolted within, but could not. My two eldest children (Susanna and Emilia) were with her. They rose, and ran towards the staircase, to raise the rest of the house. Then I saw it was our own house, all in a light blaze, and nothing but a door between the flame and the staircase.

"I ran back to my wife, who by this time had got out of bed naked and opened the door. I bade her fly for her life. We had a little silver and some gold—about ₤20. She would have stayed for it, but I pushed her out; got her and my two eldest children down-stairs (where two of the servants were now got) and asked for the keys. They knew nothing of them. I ran up-stairs and found them, came down and opened the street door. The thatch was fallen in all on fire. The north-east wind drove all the sheets of flame in my face, as if reverberated in a lamp. I got twice on the steps, and was drove down again. I ran to the garden door and opened it. The fire was there more moderate. I bade them all follow but found only two with me, and the maid with another (Charles) in her arms that cannot go, but all naked. I ran with them to my house of office in the garden, out of the reach of the flames; put the least in the other's lap; and, not finding my wife follow me, ran back into the house to seek her. The servants and two of the children were got out at the window. In the kitchen I found my eldest daughter, naked,