uch of the suffocating vapor from being drawn into his lungs.

His eyes began to smart furiously. By the time he was half way up the
stairs he could not see a thing around him save murky clouds of smoke,
lighted by the tongues of flame that darted like serpents out of many
places.

He staggered up still further, and fell on the landing. But gaining his
feet again he pushed on, still heading in the right direction. Only for
the knowledge he possessed regarding the interior of the building, Jack
would have lost his bearings then and there. The result must have been
serious indeed.

Along the hall he went. It seemed to grow hotter the further he pushed;
but even that did not daunt him. Once enlisted in a good cause he must
go on, no matter what faced him. Had not Paul said words to that effect,
after telling them what it meant to be a tried and true scout?

And here the opportunity had come to him not half an hour after the
thrilling words were spoken!

Those outside while still sending the buckets of water along, in the
effort to save one portion of the large house, were waiting to see what
came of Jack's attempt at rescue.

"He's lost!" declared one, as the fire broke out in a new place; "see,
that's the tower burning now, and she said the baby was in the room next
there."

"Poor old Jack! to think it should be him to go!" groaned Bobolink; "see,
Paul, there's his father passing the buckets along. He don't even know
his boy is in the old shack! Oh! my, whatever did he take chances like
that for?"

"Because he couldn't stand and see that poor mother shrieking for her
baby. Because he's got the strongest heart of us all! That's why!"
declared Paul, his voice vibrating with love for the chum he might never
see alive again.

And Bobolink said to himself:

"By the jumpin' Jehosaphat, I believe Paul would have gone if Jack
hadn't. He's lookin' at that house now like he wanted to run right in
and tear it to flinders."

"There he is at the window!" whooped a man's heavy voice.

Instantly every eye ranged along the front of the building, wherever the
columns of smoke permitted. And many a finger was pointed at the one
where a waving hat served to draw attention.

"He's shouting something. Keep still, everybody!"

A dead silence immediately ensued. Only the roaring and crackling of the
hungry flames could be heard, as every ear was strained to catch what
it was the imperiled boy was saying.

"He's got the baby-