h, and, running to the
wagon, returned to the driver with a hand-saw. By this time Margery,
Tommy and Hazel had come cautiously back to where the horses were.

"Saw the timbers out from under the horses," advised Jane. "It may
hurt them to drop into the river, but it's better for them to drown
than to be burned alive! Move quickly, now!"

"Janus," muttered the driver, "we're a pair of mutton-heads!"

"We are," agreed the guide, as he ran to get the other saw.

The rasping of the saws began instantly, the Meadow-Brook Girls moving
closer to observe the work, casting frequent apprehensive glances over
their shoulders at the thick cloud of smoke which issued from the
farther end of the bridge. The fire did not appear to be making much
headway, still it did not seem to be abating. Already the framework of
that end of the bridge was outlined like the figure in a set piece of
fireworks. They could hear the crackling of the flames, and the wooden
tunnel was becoming filled with smoke. Tommy was coughing, to remind
her companions that they were in need of other quarters.

"I don't think I would cut the ends off," suggested Harriet. "Saw them
nearly through, then cut the opposite ends. Otherwise you may leave
the animals dangling in the air with no means of helping them out."

Janus nodded approvingly at Harriet's suggestion.

"I reckon you're right," he agreed. "Jim, tackle the other end. We'll
let this near horse down first and see how he makes out. If it works,
we'll drop the other fellow in the same way."

A warning snapping sound was heard.

"Stand clear!" bellowed Janus.

The girls sprang back, and just in time. Pieces of plank shot up into
the air, one striking the bridge roof with a crash. Then the near
horse, with a neigh of fear, disappeared into the black water below
them. They heard a loud splash. Harriet, leaning over, peered into
the river.

"He's swimming. I can hear him," she cried joyously. "Isn't that fine
that you thought of that, Mr. Grubb?" she exclaimed, turning a flushed
face to the guide.

"Huh! Thought of it? I'd never thought of it if I'd kept my thinking
machine going for a hundred years. Now the other horse, Jim. We'll
have to step lively. Them flames is getting too nigh for comfort. Now
you folks had better get out of here!" he commanded.

"Not yet," smiled Harriet, "we still have work to do. We must get the
things out of the wagon. If we lose them, we shall b