The ladder shook beneath their weight, for both were heavy, and Aunt Betsy struggled in his grasp, screaming with fright; then a tongue of flame shooting out from below caught her cotton gown, and in her frantic terror she gave a sudden spring that threw her preserver and herself to the ground.

Mr. Dinsmore and Donald seized the captain and dragged him out of harm’s Way, other hands doing a like service for the woman.

She was shrieking and groaning, but her rescuer neither spoke nor moved.

They took him up, carried him out of the crowd, and laid him gently down upon a sofa; one of the articles of furniture saved from the fire.

“Poor fellow!” sighed Donald with emotion.  “I’m afraid he has paid dear for his kindness of heart!”

“Solon,” said Mr. Dinsmore, “mount the fastest horse here and ride to Roselands for Dr. Arthur.  Tell him we don’t know how seriously this gentleman is hurt.  Hurry! make all possible haste!”

Solon was turning to obey, but stopped, exclaiming, “Why, sho’ anuff, dar’s de doctah hisself just lightin’ off his hoss ober yondah!”

“Then run and bring him here.”

Arthur obeyed the summons with all speed.  The alarm of the fire had reached Roselands, and he had hastened to the spot to give aid in extinguishing it, or to any who might be injured.

He found the captain showing signs of life; he moved his head, then opened his eyes.

“Where are you hurt, sir?” asked the doctor.

“Not very seriously anywhere, I trust,” replied the captain, trying to rise.  “Ah!” as he fell back again, “both back and ankle seem to have had a wrench.  But, friends, are you not needed over there at the fire?  My injuries can wait.”

“Little or nothing more can be done there, and there are people enough on the ground now to leave us free to attend to you,” said Mr. Dinsmore.

The doctor was speaking aside to Donald and Solon.

Coming back, “We will have a litter ready in a few moments,” he said, “and carry you over to Ion.”

“By all means,” said Mr. Dinsmore.  “You accompany us, of course, Arthur?”

“Certainly, sir.”

“How is she—­the old negress?  Was she much injured by the fall?” Captain Raymond asked.

No one could tell him, and he begged the doctor to attend to her while the litter was preparing.

Arthur went in search of her, and presently returned, saying she had escaped without any broken bones, though apparently a good deal shaken up and bruised.

CHAPTER IX.

    “Man proposes, but God disposes.”

Donald left Ion the next morning, going away sadly and alone, yet trying to be truly thankful that his friend’s injuries, though severe, were not permanent, and that he left him where he would have the best of medical treatment and nursing.

“Don’t be uneasy about the captain,” Mr. Dinsmore said in parting; “I can assure you that Arthur is a skilful physician and surgeon, and we have several negro women who thoroughly understand nursing.  Beside my wife, Elsie and I will oversee them and do all in our power for the comfort and restoration of the invalid.”