crazy," decided Tom. "He'll never get the fire out in the
world acting that way. And if the wind shifts the blaze will blow
right toward the barns."

This was evident. Two large stacks of hay, for which there had been no
room in the barn, stood in the farmyard not far from the big buildings
that contained the farm products, horses and machinery. Both stacks
were afire in several places, but as there was only a slight wind the
flames went almost straight up, inclining away from the buildings. But
it would need only a slight shift of the wind to cause much damage.

"What's to be done?" asked Jack.

"Get the horses out first," decided Tom. "That is if they're not out
already. Let's have a look." Now that he was on the scene, even his
feeling against the old farmer would not allow him to stand idly by and
see property destroyed.

"That's the way to talk!" cried Bert. "Let's save the horses."

They found the animals in their stalls, trying to break loose, and
tramping excitedly on the wooden floor.

"Steady, boys! Steady!" called Tom soothingly, and at the sound of his
voice the steeds were a bit less restless.

"How are you going to manage?" asked Jack. "I don't know much about
horses, but I've heard that they'll rush into a blaze if you cut 'em
loose."

"That's bosh!" cried Tom. "It's hard to get 'em past a fire, unless
you blind 'em. Get me some old bags and I'll lead 'em out. Come on,
Bert. You used to live on a farm."

From the light of the blazing stacks, shining in the barn windows, Jack
and George saw where a pile of grain sacks were lying. They passed
some to Tom and Bert, and a little later the two lads each led a horse
out, the bags having been tossed over the steeds' heads to shut out
their view of the fire. The animals were restive, but allowed
themselves to be led.

"Here you go!" called Tom to some of his school friends. "Take the
horses quite a way off, and tie 'em to the fence. There are four more
in here!"

He and Bert went back, and soon had led out two more steeds, while one
of the farmer's hired men, becoming aware of the need of haste, led out
the other two. Thus the horses were saved.

"Whew!" exclaimed Tom, as he came from the barn after the last of the
steeds were safe. "That was hot work!"

"And look at the hay stacks!" cried Jack. "They're blazing fiercer
than ever."

"Yep. Water's give out!" exclaimed a hired man. "I guess th' hull
place'll go now. I'm