he boys are still in the house. I thought they had
been out! I thought I had seen them out but it was two negro boys I
mistook in the dark for them! I have just found out my mistake! Oh,
Grainger, they will perish! What is to be done?"

"'Pends on what room they're in, ma'am," hastily replied the overseer,
while all the others stood speechless with intense anxiety.

"Oh, they are in the front chamber there, immediately above the burning
room!" cried Mrs. Middleton, wringing her hands in anguish, while those
around suspended their breath in horror.

"More than a man's life would be worth to venture, ma'am. The ceiling of
that burning room is on fire; it may fall in any minute, carrying the
floor of the upper room with it!"

"Oh, Grainger! but the poor, poor lads! to perish so horribly in their
early youth!"

"It's dreadful, ma'am; but it can't be helped! It's as much as certain
death to any man as goes into that part of the building!"

"Grainger! Grainger! I cannot abandon these poor boys to their fate!
Think of their mother! Grainger, I will give any man his freedom who
will rescue those two boys! It is said men will risk their lives for
that. Get up on the ladder where you can be seen and heard and proclaim
this--shout it forth: 'Freedom to any slave who will save the Burghe
boys!'"

The overseer climbed up the ladder, and after calling the attention of
the whole mob by three loud whoops and waiting a moment until quiet was
restored, he shouted:

"Freedom to any slave who will save the Burghe boys from the burning
building!"

He paused and waited a response; but the silenqe was unbroken.

"They won't risk it, ma'am; life is sweet," said the overseer, coming
down from his post.

"I cannot give them up, Grainger! I cannot for their poor mother's sake!
Go up once more! Shout forth that I offer liberty to any slave with his
wife and children--if he will save those boys!" said Mrs. Middleton.

Once more the overseer mounted his post and thundered forth the
proclamation:

"Freedom to any slave with his wife and children, who will rescue the
Burghe boys!"

Again he paused for a response; and nothing but dead silence followed.

"I tell you they won't run the risk, ma'am! Life is sweeter than
anything else in this world!" said the overseer, coming down.

"And the children will perish horribly in the fire and their mother will
go raving mad; for I know I should in her place!" cried Mrs. Middleton,
wildly wri