hile in a similar rapid glance on the other side I saw through the
flame and smoke that on one side the dam bank was covered with
spectators, on the other there were three men just climbing off a rough
raft and descending towards the stream just below.

"Now," said Uncle Jack, seizing one box, "I can do no more. Each of you
take your lot and let's go."

"But where?--how?" I panted.

"Phew!"

Uncle Jack gave vent to a long whistle that was heard above the
crackling wood, the roar of flames carried along by the wind, and the
shouts and cries of the excited crowd in the yard.

"It's worse than I thought," said Uncle Jack. "We can't get down. Keep
cool, boys. We must save our papers. Here, there is less fire at that
window than at either of the others--let's throw the boxes out there.
They'll take care of them."

We ran to the far corner window, but as we reached it a puff of flame
and smoke curved in and drove us back.

It was so with every window towards the yard, and escape was entirely
cut off.

The men were trying to do something to save us, for there was a
tremendous noise and excitement below; but they could do absolutely
nothing, so rapidly had the grinding-shop beneath us been turned into a
fiery furnace.

And now the flames had mastered the end door, which fell inward, and
flame and black and gold clouds of smoke rolled in.

"Quick, Cob!--into the office!" roared Uncle Dick; and I darted in with
some of the papers, followed by the rest, Uncle Jack banging to the
door.

"Keep cool, all of you," he cried. "I must save these books and
papers."

"But we must save our lives, Jack," said Uncle Dick. "The floor's
smoking. Our only chance is to jump into the dam."

"Through that blaze of flame!" said Uncle Bob gloomily.

"It is our only chance," said Uncle Jack; "but let's try to save our
boxes as well. They will float if we take care."

"Now, then, who's first?"

The window was open, the tin boxes and the packets on the table, the dam
beneath but invisible; for the flame and smoke that rose from the window
below came like a fiery curtain between us and the water; and it was
through this curtain that we should have to plunge.

Certainly it would be a momentary affair, and then we should be in the
clear cold water; but the idea of taking such a leap made even my stout
uncles shrink and vainly look round for some other means of escape.

But there were none that we could see. Above the roar