Grace found herself wondering what had caused the tree to fall. There was no wind, other than a gentle zephyr; the ground was dry and the tree was not a dead tree, as she discovered when she found that its foliage had blotted out the campfire. Either she had not heard the explosion as the tree burst from the ground, or else she had forgotten that circumstance altogether in the excitement of the moment. "All right. We can go back now," said Tom. "And to bed for mine," promised Elfreda. "If my eyes serve me right, you have no bed," answered Grace laughingly. "I don't understand," wondered Miss Briggs. "From its position, I should say that the fallen tree pretty well covers our camp," replied Grace. "Yes, it fell on the lean-tos," Tom informed them. The Overland girls groaned. "The voices of nature seem to be trying to tell us something. Perhaps they are inviting us to get out," suggested Hippy whimsically. "What is your interpretation of the tree's fall, you Nature-Cult Person?" he questioned teasingly, nodding at Emma. "I think they are seeking to advise us to rid ourselves of one Lieutenant Wingate if we expect to be permitted to proceed in peace," answered Emma. "Why don't you go home?" teased the little Overland girl. "My wife won't let me. Of course you are not bound by any such restrictions," reminded Hippy. Tom suddenly broke into a run. The others followed, calling to him to know what was wrong, but the forester did not at first answer, as he sped towards their camp, leaping logs and other obstructions in his path. "Hurry!" he shouted, upon reaching the scene. "What is it?" called Hippy. "We have set the woods on fire!" answered Tom. What the party had supposed to be only the campfire blazing under the tree that had fallen across it, in reality was a forest fire in the making. In falling, the tree had scattered the burning embers of the campfire, and set fire to the leaves and pine boughs that covered the ground. By the time Tom Gray reached the scene the fire was running up the little saplings, tracing out their limbs until they resembled decorated Christmas trees, and leaping from tree to tree. "Isn't it beautiful!" exclaimed Emma enthusiastically, as the spectacle burst into view. "You won't think so before many hours have passed," answered Grace, who, as well as her husband, fully understood what this blaze with so good a start might mean. "Grab those spruce boughs near the lean-tos and follow me!" shouted Tom. "Every one of you get to work. Stamp out what is left of the campfire, Hippy, so that it doesn't spread towards the river and get away from us along the bank. Stir yourselves!" Through the smoke, the flying sparks and the pungent, almost overpowering odors, the Overland Riders ran with their arms full of spruce boughs. "What are we to do?" cried Elfreda. "I feel as helpless as a child."