the other
indications of a great conflagration around him, had begun to affect
Thad.

And as they pushed along it chanced that they came to a little break in
the wall of pines that rose around them. For the first time the Boy
Scout saw, when he turned his head toward the right, and the rear,
something that seemed to leap madly upwards, as though endeavoring to
lick the overhanging clouds.

There was no need of Thad to ask the guide what that was, for he knew
only too well. Those leaping, tossing billows were flames; and they
sealed the death warrant of many a noble pine that for years and years
had seen the lovely summer come and go, to give place to the furious
gales of the Maine winter season.

And Thad Brewster experienced a real genuine thrill, that might be
tinged with alarm, as he viewed this fiery panorama over the tops of the
trees.

CHAPTER XXVI.

TRUSTING TO THE WOODS' PILOT.

It was by this time getting about as exciting as anything Thad had ever
dreamed of. The noise made by the sweeping flames began to din in his
ears as he had never expected to hear the roar of fire.

Still, he noticed that Jim had not changed his course much. Plainly
then, he was heading for the cabin of Cale Martin, and had not yet given
up hopes of being able to make it.

Only for the intense desire of the guide to please his Lina, doubtless
he would ere now have changed his flight, and headed for that pond,
where they could be certain of finding security. Thad only hoped Jim
would not be tempted to take too many chances, in his endeavor to
accomplish the reconciliation.

So the boy began to strain his eyes, looking ahead, hoping that any
minute they would sight the lonely home of the late poacher, who had
turned fox farmer.

The fire could now be seen more plainly than ever, and Thad noted how
the wind seemed to carry all manner of whirling sparks far ahead, to set
the dead pine needles ablaze in turn; so that there was an ever marching
procession, as fresh patches of woods fell into the grip of the flames.

Something went squealing past them, almost upsetting Thad.

"Good gracious, wasn't that a pig?" he exclaimed, startled by the sight.

Jim nodded his head, as he replied:

"Cale's pig. Let's 'em hev ther run o' ther woods sumtimes. But he'll
never see that porker agin. It'll sure be roasted ter a turn, I guess
naow."

"What next, I wonder?" thought Thad, as he heard, rather than saw,
several frightened