“But we are safe here on this island, are we not?” Jess anxiously asked.  “The fire can’t surely cross the water.”

“It can come through the air, though.  Burning brands may soon be falling on all sides, and wherever one alights another fire will be started.  We may have a shower of them here, even before the fire reaches the lake.”

“What are we to do, then?” the girl asked.

“I do not know except to seek refuge in the lake.  The water is deep around the shore of this island, so we could not go out very far.”

“Perhaps John will come and take us off,” Jess suggested.

“Let us hope so, dear,” and Mrs. Hampton placed her right arm lovingly around her daughter.  “John will come, if possible, we can be assured of that.  No doubt he has seen the fire before this, and is hurrying to our aid now.  But, look, isn’t the smoke getting thick!”

“And what is that roaring sound?” Jess asked.  “It is growing louder.”

“It must be the fire; it’s getting nearer all the time.”

“Oh, what shall we do ?” the girl cried, clinging now to Mrs. Hampton.

“We must keep close to the lake, dear, and, if necessary, take to the water.  We can wade out as far as we can, and may be able to escape much of the heat of the flames.”

Little was said for a while as the two stood there listening to the roaring of the fire, every instant expecting it to leap across the island.  Neither did they have to wait long, for soon the air became filled with blazing cinders.  They fell with a hissing sound upon the water and along the shore.  In a short time the upper end of the island, was on fire, and they could hear the crackle and roar as it rushed through the underbrush, blasting the pine and fir trees in its path.

“It is almost upon us!” Mrs. Hampton cried, clutching Jess fiercely by the arm.  “Let us go to the lower end of the island.  Perhaps we can get out upon the rocks there.  Anywhere is better than here.”

Hurrying along the shore as fast as possible, they soon reached the place, and with difficulty made their way over the rough boulders which lifted their heads above the surface of the water.  But they could go only a few yards, for when the outer rock was reached, they were forced to stop, as the water was deep beyond.  And here they huddled, clinging to each other, every minute expecting the fiery monster to burst forth upon them from the nearby forest.

As they crouched here and waited, they often turned their eyes across the lake to where the boat was lying on the mainland.  So thick was the smoke that the opposite shore was greatly dimmed.  They wondered what could be keeping John.  He was their only hope now, but he must come soon or it would be too late, they felt sure.