nary farmer's wagon, with
its two horses, had been burned. Little more than the iron work of the
body was left, and the animals seemed to have gone down side by side,
where they lay burned and burst open by the flames, that were less
merciful to them than to the brother and sister who had made such a
gallant fight for life.

The sight was sad enough, but it was rendered tenfold more so by the
figure of the driver, only a few rods distant. When his team gave out he
had probably leaped to the ground and started to run from the fire, but
was overtaken and perished miserably.

"How thankful we ought to be!" said Nellie, in a subdued voice, as they
moved forward again.

"So I am," was the fervent response of Nick, whose heart was melted with
pity for the unfortunate stranger, and with thankfulness that he and
Nellie had been selected by Heaven for such a signal display of mercy.

They were in constant dread of coming upon similar scenes, but they
were spared the sight, and, at the end of about an hour from the time of
leaving the bridge, they emerged into the open country, where they were
near their own home.

The afternoon was pretty well gone, and the sky still wore that
impressive appearance which we all remember well; but it was not so
marked as a short time before, and was rapidly passing away.

There was a great deal of smoke drifting and floating through the air,
but it caused less inconvenience and annoyance than it did when they
fled to the pond for safety.

The children gave another expression of their gratitude, and then
hastened toward the humble home, which was, indeed, the dearest spot on
earth to them.

The parents were full of anxiety, though they hoped that Nick had seen
the danger, and had stayed in Dunbarton with horse and carriage.

But the couple stood at the gate, shading their eyes, and looking
yearningly down the road, in the hope of catching sight of the loved
forms of the brave children.

When they saw and recognized the figures, they rushed forth to meet
them, with swelling hearts. Father and mother pressed them to their
breasts, and the eyes of all were streaming with tears, for of Nick and
Nellie might it not be said--"For these, my children, were dead, and are
alive again: they were lost, and they are found?"

When Nick had told the whole wonderful story, the father took his hand
and said in his native tongue:

"My boy, I have taught you that God helps them that help themselves. I