Part of the floor was burning, and the animals were confined
by the flames to one side of the barn.
"You'll never git them out," prophesied the constable.
Indeed, Bert was beginning to have his own doubts. But he had a plan
which he wished to try.
"Come on, Vincent," he called to his chum. "You know how to handle
horses, don't you?"
"Sure."
By this time the two boys and the constable had reached the head of
the stairs, and were inside the barn, on the main floor. Fortunately
the flames were not yet near the stairway.
"Look out for the horses!" yelled Mr. Stickler. "They're crazy with
fear!"
The animals certainly were. Back and forth they rushed as the shifting
flames and smoke drove them from place to place. The interior of the
barn was becoming hotter and hotter. Most of the front had burned
away, and through it, wreathed in flames and smoke as it was, those
inside could look out and see the wondering crowd gathered before the
structure.
"Goin' to drive the horses through?" asked Vincent.
"No. They'd never cross those burning embers," replied Bert, pointing
to where pieces of blazing wood had fallen across the threshold of
what had been the big doors of the barn.
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