It was so unlike a
common country alarm, where everybody rushed up and down the
streets, crying "Fire! fire! f-i-r-e!" and went hurrying to and
fro for pails of water to help put it out. Until that moment the
little woman did not know how utterly deserted she was.
In very despair, she ran to her house, seized two pails, filled
them with greater haste than she had ever drawn water before,
and, regardless of Uncle John's imprecations, carried them forth,
one in either hand, the water dripping carelessly down the side
breadths of her fair silk gown, her silvery curls tossed and
tumbled in white confusion, her pleasant face aflame with
eagerness, and her clear eyes suffused with tears.
Thus equipped with facts and feeling, she once more appeared to
Major Pitcairn.
"Have you a mother in old England?" she cried. "If so, for her
sake, stop this fire."
Her words touched his heart.
"And if I do--?" he answered.
"THEN YOUR JOHNNY-CAKE ON MY HEARTH WON'T BURN UP," she said,
with a quick little smile, adjusting her cap.
Major Pitcairn laughed, and two soldiers, at his command, seized
the pails and made haste to the court-house, followed by many
more.
For awhile the fire seemed victorious, but, by brave effort, it
was finally overcome, and the court-house saved.
At a distance Joe Devins had noticed the smoke hovering like a
little cloud, then sailing away still more like a cloud over the
town; and he had made haste to the scene, arriving in time to
venture on the roof, and do good service there.
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