"Quick!" cried Paul, as he made the splinters fly. This was only for
the effect, as the section on the roof was all ready to come away.
"Hurry up, Sneed!" called the young fellow. "It's getting pretty hot
here. We'll have to follow each other closely down the ladder."
"We can't get away from here any too soon for me," the other
answered. "This is the worst yet."
In another moment the secret room was exposed. Ruth and Alice were in
it, a little afraid, after all, that something might happen.
"Come on!" cried Paul reaching down his hands. Alice climbed up on a
chair in the room, and Paul lifted her out on the roof. Then Mr.
Sneed did the same for Ruth.
Putting the girls over their shoulders, in the manner in which
firemen make rescues, the two started down the ladder.
In spite of Mr. Sneed's fear, nothing happened. The rescue went off
finely, and even those not taking part in it applauded as it came to
a close and Ruth and Alice, who were supposed to have fainted, were
revived.
Then their parts ended, for that particular scene, but the barn
continued to burn, as was intended, and soon it was a glowing heap of
embers and ashes. The work of the bucket brigade had not been
successful, nor had it been intended that it should be.
The final scenes of the play--away from the fire--were made, and then
the players could rest.
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