hen John Willows' voice rose loudly
above the babble of the little crowd, giving orders; and, as the boys
rushed up with their friend, an iron bar was heard to rattle, two doors
were flung back, and the grinding and crushing sound of wheels over
gravel followed, as the little engine was run out with a hearty cheer;
the excited men who took the place of horses and pushed wherever they
could find a place for their hands, running the machine along the mill
front right up towards where the fire was blazing fast, and bringing to
it a current of air as it rose, which made the flames burn moment by
moment more fiercely, as they obtained a greater hold.

"No, no, no!" yelled Will. "You're wrong, you're wrong, you're wrong!
Back with her at once!"

"Nay, it's all right, boys," cried one of the men; "it's all right; go
on!"

"It isn't," shouted Will. "Back with her close to the dam!"

"Nay," cried the same voice; "the fire's here."

"I know that!" shouted Will, rushing at him and thrusting him aside.
"Ah, here's father! Give orders, father; it must be close to the water.
The suction-pipe is short."

"Yes, of course," cried Willows. "You're wrong, men. Back with her to
the pool there below the wheel! Mr Manners, take the lead, please,
over getting out and connecting the hose. Will, see to the
suction-pipe, and that its rose is well clear of the gravel. Get to
work as soon as you can. Josh, my boy, follow and help me. I'm afraid
the place is doomed, Mr Manners; I must go to the office and get out
the safe and books."

"Right, sir; we will do our best," cried the artist. "How did it
occur?"

"Goodness only knows," was the reply, and each hurried to his appointed
task.

They worked well, but, as a matter of course, there was little
discipline; every worker thought he knew best, gave his opinions, and
hindered the progress of the rest; but at last the engine was in the
most favourable place for operating, the suction-pipe attached and
hanging down in a deep, dark hole, scooped lower year after year by tons
of the water falling from the wheel; while forward, under the artist's
guidance, length after length of the hose had been unrolled and the
gun-metal screws fitted together till it stretched out far in the
glowing light towards the burning timbers. Here, as near as it was safe
for man to go, the artist stood in shirt and trousers, sleeves rolled up
over his massive arms, bending down, a picturesque object, lik