-look! he's holding her up!"

A shriek came from the agonized mother, and she fell on her knees with
clasped hands.

"Listen to what he says!"

"Go to back of house--get ladder to window there!" called Jack huskily,
at the top of his voice.

"Hurrah! we understand, old fellow! We'll have you out of that yet!"
whooped Bobolink, starting on the run around the end of the mansion.

"A ladder--bring it around, boys! Let's save the brave youngster!" howled
the tall foreman.

The ladder happened to be up against the building at a point where the
flames had now burst forth, driving the fire-fighters back. Himself, the
foreman led in a bold forward rush to capture the required ladder; nor
was he to be denied, scorning the efforts of the licking tongues of fire
to daunt him.

Then, with a swarm of followers, he pushed around the corner. Here,
to be sure, there did seem to be less of smoke and blaze, owing to the
direction of the night wind.

Now they were placing the ladder. It reached up to a window, and if only
Jack would show himself all might be well. Seconds were like an eternity
to those who crowded below, every face upturned, and every eye ranging
along the side of the house.

The fire was pushing in this direction too, for it suddenly burst out
of a broken window. From many pairs of lips there burst a groan. Well
did they know that every second counted against the boy, who was
doubtless groping his way along halls and through rooms filled with
that overpowering smoke.

"There he is!"

It was like a sudden electric shock, that cry. The clarion notes of a
bugle would not have thrilled that vast crowd one half so surely as did
the appearance of a head at a window on the left.

Jack had been shrewd enough to pick out a room that was further away from
the devouring flames. A hoarse shout went up at sight of him.

"He's got the baby too!" was the tenor of that victorious cry; and it
was as though every man and boy and other person present felt a personal
interest in the success of Jack's daring venture.

The precious baby was saved; yes, he was hugging the bundle to his
breast; and during a lull in the clamor they plainly heard the lusty
cries that proceeded from that shawl-wrapped package. Those were
doubtless the most blessed sounds that ever reached the strained ears
of the praying mother.

Quickly was the ladder lifted and rushed along the wall of the house
until it stood beneath the window where Jack ha