only
that, but the fire could be seen in a dozen places behind them, leaping
up into the trees as the dried foliage offered such a splendid torch,
and the wind urged the conflagration along.

"Will's right. The old thing's running us neck and crop. I believe it's
gaining on us right along!" exclaimed Bluff.

"Look for a hollow tree!" cried Jerry.

"Humbug! Just because you once got in one during a storm you think a
hollow tree can be used for nearly anything. Why, we'd be smothered in a
jiffy, even if we didn't get burned to a crisp! Say something else!"
shouted Bluff.

"What is it, Frank--you know?" demanded Will, who, in this time of need,
somehow turned to the one whose cool head had many times managed to
extricate them from some impending danger.

"We've just _got_ to head another way, and try and get out of the path
of the fire, if we can. Besides, the river lies to the left," he
answered, as cheerily as he could.

"The river! Hurrah!" shrieked Will in sudden elation, for the very
thought of water was a blessed relief when threatened by fire.

"We can duck under, and save our bacon!" cried Jerry.

"There you go, confessing to the swine again," declared Bluff.

But in spite of their light words the boys were by this time thoroughly
alarmed. The appearance of the burning woods in their immediate rear was
appalling, to say the least. High sprang the flames, and their crackling
could now be plainly heard. Indeed, the sound began to assume the
proportions of a continuous roar, such as a long freight train might
make in passing over a trestle and down a grade.

Now that they were running almost sidewise to the advancing fire, it
approached much faster than before.

"I felt a spark on my face, fellows!"

Frank was not at all surprised to hear Will say this, for he, too, had
experienced the same thing not half a minute before. He had not
mentioned the fact, for fear of alarming his chums still more.

"Keep on, fellows!" was all he said, for he needed every bit of breath
he could muster.

Desperately they tried to increase their pace, but found it hard work
with so many obstacles confronting them. Will tumbled more than any of
the others, somehow or other. Perhaps it was because he was carrying his
camera so carefully, and thinking more about it than his own person.

Finally Frank missed him entirely.

"Where's Will gone?" he demanded.

The others, turning, were horrified to find their chum missing.