r old
laddie like Walter."

"No, not a boy at all; only a girl. I'm glad I was made a boy so I can
grow up into a man like papa."

"I'd rather be a woman like mamma and Grandma Elsie," said his little
sister. "But I'd like to see the buffaloes and all the rest of it. Can't
we go, papa?"

"I will go and take my little girl and boy," replied her father, "and will
be glad of the company of anyone else who feels inclined to go with us."

No one seemed disinclined, and finally all decided to go.

They were well entertained, and, when the exhibition was over, passed out
upon the elevated platform at the entrance.

The crowd moved slowly, and as they stood awaiting an opportunity to
descend to the street below, there arose a sudden cry of "Fire!" and at
the same instant they perceived a flame creeping up within the centre
tower of the Cold Storage Building near at hand.

Scarcely was the cry raised before twenty-five brave and experienced
firemen were on the scene, and ascending to the platform of observation
that had been built near the summit. The tower was built of pine wood and
plaster, which had been dried by the sun without and hot sheet-iron
chimneys within, so that it burned fiercely. The firemen saw that it was a
very dangerous place for anyone to venture into, therefore they hesitated
and drew back; but their leader swore at them, calling them cowards, and
at once they climbed to the perilous place; but scarcely had they reached
it when there was an explosion of gases; the roof heaved and fell in,
carrying with it sixteen men down into a pit of gaseous flame, and a
shriek of horror went up from the fifty thousand people who stood looking
on, unable to give the least assistance to the poor perishing men.

The party from the _Dolphin_ saw it all and were sick with horror. Grace
fainted, and but for the support of her father's arm, quickly thrown about
her, would have fallen to the floor of the platform where they stood. He
held her up, and with the help of Harold and Herbert, hastily pushed his
way through the crowd.

"Lay her down as quickly as you can, captain!" exclaimed Harold; "it is
important."

"Yes, I know," returned Captain Raymond, glancing down at the white,
unconscious face of his precious burden.

But at that instant Grace's eyes opened, and looking up in a bewildered
way into her father's eyes, "Papa, I'm too heavy for you to carry," she
said faintly.

"No, my darling, not at all," he repli