shoulder. "Come, trust me."

"Leave me alone," was the angry retort. "I'd sooner trust a snake than
you. Get out of my sight."

John now knew that he had to take stern measures and act at once, for
there was not a minute to lose. Stooping, he caught the helpless man
in a firm grip, lifted him from the ground, and staggered through the
bushes. Randall was an unwieldy weight, and he struggled and cursed
like a madman. At times John thought he would be forced to drop his
burden and give up the attempt. But the menacing danger nerved him to
almost super-human effort, and at last he stumbled with his load upon
the rocky surface. Dragging Randall to the centre of the stone, he
left him sprawling there, and sprang at once to the nearest clump of
bushes. Drawing forth a match from his vest pocket, he struck it and
touched it to a dry bit of fine grass. A small flame immediately shot
up, which soon spread, and raced out among the bushes. The same was
done in several other places, and in a few minutes the two men were in
the centre of a ring of fire, which enlarged and increased in fury as
the flames seized upon the dry material on all sides. The heat now was
intense, and the smoke was blinding and suffocating.

During the whole of this performance Randall was yelling frantically to
Hampton, asking what he meant by bringing the fire nearer. John,
however, made no reply until his work was done. Then he staggered to
the excited man's side, and without a word lifted him again in his
arms, carried him to the pile of boulders, and laid him down between
two big rocks nearest to the lake. Taking off his own coat, he spread
it over Randall's head, and part of his body, commanding him at the
same time to keep still, and stop struggling. This warning was given
none too soon for the next instant a terrific roar rent the air, as the
fire burst from the forest and flung itself upon the plains. Nothing
could John now see, for the smoke was thicker than ever. The heat,
too, was becoming more intense, and for relief he dropped upon his
knees and covered his head with a portion of the coat which he had
placed over Randall. This was only a brief respite, however, for
burning brands were now falling everywhere, and one lighted almost on
top of them. Then others followed in quick succession, so he was
forced to stand on guard above the injured man. Desperately he fought
the shower of flaming death, hurling aside each ember er