"We'll make the big stones yonder, boys. Keep this side of the juniper
scrub."

The men's grim faces relaxed and one laughed. They saw the struggle
was over for a time and the boss had made another plan. All had had
enough and badly needed rest. Carrie, however, looked at Jim
thoughtfully.

"I know you're not giving up, but I don't understand."

Jim smiled. "I may have to give up, but not yet. In the morning the
fire will reach the line. We are going to lie off and let it pass."

"Ah," said Carrie, with a hint of relief. "Can we wait?"

"It will cost us something and we can't wait long, but perhaps this
won't be needful. Now give me that bundle. The ground is rough."

"I won't," said Carrie, moving back as he tried to take the bundle she
had made of some clothes. "You have an ax and a big bag of flour.
Would it hurt very much to own that you sometimes get tired?"

Jim laughed but did not answer, and they went up the hill. They
pitched camp among the rocks and in the morning Jim climbed the range
behind the spot. He did not come back until dusk, but saw no way of
bringing the supplies he would soon need across the rugged hills. One
could not get up the valley, for looking down from the heights, he
could see behind the fire and the ground was strewn with fallen trees.
Some would burn for long and the ashes and hot stones would not cool
soon, while the rampikes that stood above the ruin would come down when
a strong gust shook them. A _brulee_ is dangerous when the wind blows,
and sometimes in a calm.

For the next few days the fire raged below the camp, and when Jim
ventured down hill he was driven back by heat and smoke. The fire was
rolling up the valley, but the wreckage it had left smoldered and now
and then broke into flame. Half-burned underbrush suddenly blazed and
blackened logs glowed in the wind. There was nothing to be done but
use patience, and in the meantime the wages bill was mounting up and
food was getting short.

Then, one day, the wind dropped. The distant peaks got hazy, the
shining glaciers faded, and the outline of the rocks was blurred.
Although the sun was dim, it was very hot, and Jim felt morose and
gloomy as he loafed about the camp. There was no use in going down to
the line, and he durst not hope for rain. After a few hours the wind
might freshen and the sky clear. He had nothing to do and the reaction
from the strain he had borne had begun.

"We miss the t