Page:Susanna Wesley (Clarke 1886).djvu/86

74 and asked her for her mother. She could not tell me where she was. I took her up and carried her to the rest in the garden; came in the second time and ran up-stairs, the flame breaking through the wall at the staircase; thought all my children were safe, and hoped my wife was some way got out. I then remembered my books, and felt in my pocket for the key of the chamber which led to my study I could not find the key, though I searched a second time. Had I opened that door, I must have perished.

"I ran down, and went to my children in the garden, to help them over the wall. When I was with- out, I heard one of my poor lambs, left still above stairs, about six years old, cry out dismally, 'Help me!' I ran in again to go up-stairs, but the staircase was now all afire. I tried to force up through it a second time, holding my breeches over my head, but the stream of fire beat me down. I thought I had done my duty; went out of the house to that part of my family I had saved, in the garden, with the killing cry of my child in my ears. I made them all kneel down, and we prayed God to receive his soul.

"I tried to break down the pales, and get my children over into the street, but could not; then went under the flame, and got them over the wall. Now I put on my breeches and leaped after them. One of my maid-servants that had brought out the least child, got out much at the same time. She was saluted with a hearty curse by one of the neighbours, and told that we had fired the house ourselves, the second time, on purpose. I ran about inquiring for my wife and other children; met the chief man and chief constable of the town going from my house, not towards it to help me. I took him by the hand