lse, but we shall die if we stay
here."

There seemed little choice in the matter, but one of the impossibilities
is for a boy or girl to stand still when suffering, and the suggestion
of Nellie was acted upon at once.

She had released the arm of Nick, who started up the right bank, she
following close behind him. The walking was easy, for the creek had
receded from the greater portion of the bed it usually occupied, and
that had become hardened by long exposure to the heat of the sun.

It was not far to the pond of which I have spoken, and which occupied an
extent of an acre, or perhaps more. The place was a favorite with the
boys of the neighborhood, and some of the most delightful swims Nick
Ribsam had ever enjoyed were in that sheet of water.

The water was cold, clear, and deep in many places. What more tempting
resort for a tired, thirsty and overheated lad can be imagined
especially when he knows that it will be a piece of disobedience for him
to go there?

"That's the place," he exclaimed, hastening his footsteps; "when we get
there, we'll have a chance to breathe."

"Hurry up, then, Nick, for I can't stand this much longer."

CHAPTER XXXIV.

CALLING IN VAIN.

The distress of the brother and sister became greater every minute. They
walked hurriedly along the bank of the creek, their path through the
gloom illuminated now and then by the flashes of fire which shot through
the strangling volumes of vapor. Nick, more than likely, would have gone
astray but for his familiarity with the neighborhood.

It seemed to him as if the smoke, heavy, dense, sulphurous and
suffocating, caused by the burning forest, was driven toward the bed of
the stream, where it was pressed down by the weight from above, until it
was the utmost he and Nellie could do to inhale enough of the
contaminated air to sustain life.

They hurried and struggled forward as best they could, and at last
caught the glimmer of the broad expanse of water, which presented
itself in the light of a haven of refuge to them.

It was a most welcome relief indeed, for they were now assured of one
thing--they could not die the frightful death that overtook the poor
mare. This broad expanse of cool, refreshing water could not burn up, no
matter how fervent the heat that might envelop its shores. Its cool
depths offered a refreshing refuge, such as can hardly be understood by
one who is not suffering similarly.

But it was rather curious tha