“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 goin’ t’ save my trunk.  I’ve got a new shirt an’ a pair of pants I ain’t wore yit!” and he scurried toward the house.

“Water’s gone!” cried Tom.  “Then there’s only one way to save the barns.”

“How?” asked Jack.

“They’ll have to pull the stacks to pieces, and throw the hay that isn’t blazing as far off as they can.  Scatter it, and then the fire will eat itself out.  It’s the only way, and it can be done if they hurry, and the wind doesn’t shift.”

“Come on then!” yelled Bert.  “It’s up to us.  No one else seems to know what to do.”

“Grab these pitchforks!” yelled Tom, pointing to several of the implements standing near the barn.  “Tear the stacks apart!”

With the sharp-pointed tools ready for service, Tom and his three chums rushed toward the burning stacks.  The farmer and his men were standing helplessly by.

“Tear ’em apart!  Tear ’em apart!” yelled Tom.  “It’s the only way!”