might be another strata
of smoke further up.

"Oh! if that snow-storm Jim believes is due would only hurry, and come
along," he was saying to himself, "it might do some good in putting out
this fire. While I'd like right well to see what it all looks like,
still, as a fire warden, I ought to want it to be smothered as quick as
possible. And between the two why, I'll just have to take what comes,
and be thankful it's no worse."

Then he thought of the other scouts. Were any of them in danger from the
fire? He did not believe this could be the case, for, so far as he knew,
there had been no plan on foot for a hunt that day, the boys being
satisfied to hang around camp, and do things they had in mind.

And as they were right on the edge of the lake, if the worst came, and
fire happened to sweep down upon them, the tents could be thrown into
the canoes, and all hands put out upon the surface of the lake where
they would be safe.

So Thad, as the one in charge of the patrol in the absence of Dr.
Philander Hobbs, the regular authorized scoutmaster, made up his mind
that he need not worry about his chums any more. Indeed, as the
situation grew worse and worse around himself and Jim, it began to look
as though he had need of all his anxiety in connection with his own
condition.

Of course he relied entirely on Jim. The guide had had long experience
with the fires in the pines. He had served as one of the fire wardens,
and so long as he was in charge of the expedition there was no need of
Thad trying to figure out any plan of campaign. Had he been alone, or
with some of his companions, Thad would have striven to meet the
necessities of the situation manfully, and done all in his power to
outwit the flames. Now he was in Jim's charge, and depended on the
astute Maine guide to pilot him through.

"I can hear the flames roaring, I think, Jim!" the scout remarked,
presently.

"Thet's rite," returned the other; and from his manner Thad knew Jim had
known of the circumstance longer than he dreamed possible.

"It lies over there on our right, don't it?" Thad persisted in asking.

"Yep," the guide answered, shortly.

Gauging the direction of the wind, Thad saw that they would in a measure
be running a race with the fire, to see which could get to the cabin of
Old Cale first. He knew Jim was figuring things out closely. A mistake
in calculations might cost them dear. Even a change in wind, which was
liable to occur at any ti