ll these were engaged in passing buckets from hand to hand, or dashing
water on the burning timbers; all poor ineffectual efforts to extinguish
the fire, carried on amid shouts, cries, and halloos that only added to
the horrible confusion.

A little further removed, the women and children of the family, heedless
of the pouring rain, were clinging together under the old elm tree. The
master of the house was nowhere to be seen; nor did there appear to be
any controlling head to direct the confused mob; or any system in their
work.

"Professor, they have got no hose! they are trying to put the fire out
with buckets of water! that only keeps it under a little; it will not
put it out. Let me run to your house and get the hose you wash windows
and water trees with, and we can play it right through that window into
the burning room," said Ishmael breathlessly. And without waiting for
permission, he dashed away in the direction of Morris' house.

"Where the deuce is the master?" inquired the professor, as he seized a
full bucket of water from a man on the ground, and passed it up to the
overseer, Grainger, who was stationed on the ladder.

"He went out to an oyster supper at Commodore Burghe's, and he hasn't
got back yet," answered the man, as he took the bucket and passed it to
a negro on the roof.

"How the mischief did the fire break out?" inquired the professor,
handing up another bucket.

"Nobody knows. The mistress first found it out. She was woke up
a-smelling of smoke, and screeched out, and alarmed the house, and all
run out here. Be careful there, Jovial! Don't be afraid of singing your
old wool nor breaking your old neck either! because if you did you'd
only be saving the hangman and the devil trouble. Go nearer to that
window! dash the water full upon the flames!"

"Are all safe out of the house?" anxiously inquired the professor.

"Every soul!" was the satisfactory answer.

At this moment Ishmael came running up with the hose, exclaiming:

"Here, professor! if you will take this end, I will run and put the
sucker to the spout of the pump."

"Good fellow, be off then!" answered Morris.

The hose was soon adjusted and played into the burning room.

At this moment there was a sudden outcry from the group of women and
children, and the form of Mrs. Middleton was seen flying through the
darkness towards the firemen.

"Oh, Grainger!" she cried, as soon as she had reached the spot, "oh,
Grainger! the Burg