"Perhaps John will come and take us off," Jess suggested.
"Let us hope so, dear," and Mrs. Hampton placed her right arm lovingly around her daughter. "John will come, if possible, we can be assured of that. No doubt he has seen the fire before this, and is hurrying to our aid now. But, look, isn't the smoke getting thick!"
"And what is that roaring sound?" Jess asked. "It is growing louder."
"It must be the fire; it's getting nearer all the time."
"Oh, what shall we do ?" the girl cried, clinging now to Mrs. Hampton.
"We must keep close to the lake, dear, and, if necessary, take to the water. We can wade out as far as we can, and may be able to escape much of the heat of the flames."
Little was said for a while as the two stood there listening to the roaring of the fire, every instan
