He staggered up still further, and fell on the landing.  But gaining his feet again he pushed on, still heading in the right direction.  Only for the knowledge he possessed regarding the interior of the building, Jack would have lost his bearings then and there.  The result must have been serious indeed.

Along the hall he went.  It seemed to grow hotter the further he pushed; but even that did not daunt him.  Once enlisted in a good cause he must go on, no matter what faced him.  Had not Paul said words to that effect, after telling them what it meant to be a tried and true scout?

And here the opportunity had come to him not half an hour after the thrilling words were spoken!

Those outside while still sending the buckets of water along, in the effort to save one portion of the large house, were waiting to see what came of Jack’s attempt at rescue.

“He’s lost!” declared one, as the fire broke out in a new place; “see, that’s the tower burning now, and she said the baby was in the room next there.”

“Poor old Jack! to think it should be him to go!” groaned Bobolink; “see, Paul, there’s his father passing the buckets along.  He don’t even know his boy is in the old shack!  Oh! my, whatever did he take chances like that for?”

“Because he couldn’t stand and see that poor mother shrieking for her baby.  Because he’s got the strongest heart of us all!  That’s why!” declared Paul, his voice vibrating with love for the chum he might never see alive again.

And Bobolink said to himself: 

“By the jumpin’ Jehosaphat, I believe Paul would have gone if Jack hadn’t.  He’s lookin’ at that house now like he wanted to run right in and tear it to flinders.”

“There he is at the window!” whooped a man’s heavy voice.

Instantly every eye ranged along the front of the building, wherever the columns of smoke permitted.  And many a finger was pointed at the one where a waving hat served to draw attention.

“He’s shouting something.  Keep still, everybody!”

A dead silence immediately ensued.  Only the roaring and crackling of the hungry flames could be heard, as every ear was strained to catch what it was the imperiled boy was saying.

“He’s got the baby—­look! he’s holding her up!”

A shriek came from the agonized mother, and she fell on her knees with clasped hands.

“Listen to what he says!”

“Go to back of house—­get ladder to window there!” called Jack huskily, at the top of his voice.

“Hurrah! we understand, old fellow!  We’ll have you out of that yet!” whooped Bobolink, starting on the run around the end of the mansion.

“A ladder—­bring it around, boys!  Let’s save the brave youngster!” howled the tall foreman.

The ladder happened to be up against the building at a point where the flames had now burst forth, driving the fire-fighters back.  Himself, the foreman led in a bold forward rush to capture the required ladder; nor was he to be denied, scorning the efforts of the licking tongues of fire to daunt him.