way got out.  I then remembered my books, and felt in my pocket for the key of the chamber which led to my study.  I could not find the key, though I searched a second time.  Had I opened that door, I must have perished.

I ran down and went to my children in the garden, to help them over the wall.  When I was without, I heard one of my poor lambs, left still above-stairs, about six years old, cry out, dismally, “Help me!” I ran in again, to go upstairs, but the staircase was now all afire.  I tried to force up through it a second time, holding my breeches over my head, but the stream of fire beat me down.  I thought I had done my duty; went out of the house to that part of my family I had saved, in the garden, with the killing cry of my child in my ears.  I made them all kneel down, and we prayed to God to receive his soul.

I tried to break down the pales, and get my children over into the street, but could not; then went under the flame and got them over the wall.  Now I put on my breeches and leaped after them.  One of my maidservants that had brought out the least child, got out much at the same time.  She was saluted with a hearty curse by one of the neighbours, and told that we had fired the house ourselves, the second time, on purpose!  I ran about inquiring for my wife and other children; met the chief man and chief constable of the town going from my house, not towards it to help me.  I took him by the hand and said “God’s will be done!” His answer was, “Will you never have done your tricks?  You fired your house once before; did you not get enough by it then, that you have done it again?” This was cold comfort.  I said, “God forgive you!  I find you are chief man still.”  But I had a little better soon after, hearing that my wife was saved; and then I fell on mother earth and blessed God.

I went to her.  She was alive, and could just speak.  She thought I had perished, and so did all the rest, not having seen me nor any share of eight children for a quarter of an hour; and by this time all the chambers and everything was consumed to ashes, for the fire was stronger than a furnace, the violent wind beating it down on the house.  She told me afterwards how she escaped.  When I went first to open the back-door, she endeavoured to force through the fire at the fore-door, but was struck back twice to the ground.  She thought to have died there, but prayed to Christ to help her.  She found new strength, got up alone and waded through two or three yards of flame, the fire on the ground being up to her knees.  She had nothing on but her shoes and a wrapping gown, and one coat on her arm.  This she wrapped about her breast, and got through safe into the yard, but no soul yet to help her.  She never looked up or spake till I came; only when they brought her last child to her, bade them lay it on the bed.  This was the lad whom I heard cry in the house,