and frankly at once, and so brave the worst, and take
the consequences of what he had done, whatever they might be. In fact,
so little agitated was he at the thoughts of what he had to go through,
and being moreover excessively tired, for he had been up and actively
engaged all day, that he soon became drowsy, and imitating his respected
father, began to nod much in the fashion he was doing. In a short time
Jack was fast asleep. He was not very comfortable though, for he had an
unpleasant sort of feeling, which was carried into his dreams, that all
was not right, and that something very disagreeable was about to occur.
How long he had slept he could not tell, but suddenly he was awoke by a
bright glare which passed across his face, and starting up he saw flames
issuing from the sheds by the side of the river, in which his late
companions had proposed to enjoy their supper. He started to his feet,
and remembering that Mr Strelley's great wool warehouse was near the
sheds, as well as a number of cottages thatched with straw, belonging to
the people employed on the river, he dreaded that a very considerable
conflagration might be the consequence. Jack sprang to the window.

"I beg your pardon, sir," he exclaimed in a voice loud enough to awake
his father; "I am sorry to rouse you up, but there's a fire near Mr
Strelley's warehouse, and I must be off to try and get it put out. I
hope it has not caught any of the premises yet; but pray call up some of
our neighbours, there's not a moment to be lost!"

"Where! where! what's the matter?" exclaimed Mr Deane, starting. "Why,
Jack, what have you been about?"

Jack repeated what he had just said; and before his father had time to
make any answer, he had leaped out of the window and across the garden,
and down the lane by which he had previously gone. As he ran through
the narrow streets, he every now and then shouted, "Fire! fire!" By the
time he had reached the sheds, they were blazing furiously. The wind
had also carried some sparks to an outhouse nearer the cottages, and
already the people were running to and fro; women with babies in their
arms, roused out of their sleep, rushing from the doors, and boys
hallooing and men shouting, and yet none doing any thing to stop the
progress of the flames. Jack, seeing that unless some one took the lead
all the neighbouring buildings might catch fire, shouted out, "Form a
line, my lads, down to the river, and you women bring