Then I ran around to the other side of the building, where a long ladder was lying, and raised this up to the shed top. By this time Ford had the water; and climbing up I poured it over the burning woodwork. “Good!” shouted the mill-hand. “Throw down the pails, and I’ll fill them again!” I did so. While he was gone I stripped off my coat and beat some of the fire out as best I could. When he returned I soaked the coat before throwing the water on the flames, and before long I had the fire on the shed completely extinguished. But meanwhile the flames on the main roof had gained considerable headway. I raised the ladder, but found it would be too short to be of service. “Can’t do anything with the ladder!” I cried. “We’ll have to get at the fire from the inside.” “You’ll be smothered,” remonstrated Ford. “I hope not; any way, I’m going to try it.” Taking a pail in each hand, I entered the mill and dashed up the narrow stairway, and into the garret room. Here all was thick with smoke, and at one end I could see the flames. Rushing up, I dashed all the water on the flames. It took as long as I could hold my breath, and then I ran to the open window and yelled to Ford. “Fill the pails, Dan, and bring them up to the door!” He caught the pails as I threw them down, and dashed off. Meanwhile I cleaned out the corner where the fire was located, and stamped out some of the flames with my feet. It was hot work, and dangerous, but in my excitement I gave the matter no thought. Pretty soon the door opened, and Ford appeared with more water. This I was careful to throw where it would do the most good, and saw with delight that we had somewhat checked the progress of the conflagration. “Two or four more will do the work,” I said. “I will go down with you.” And down we went, three steps at a time, he leading. I knew where there was a big tin wash-boiler, and got this. Under ordinary circumstances it would have been impossible for me to carry the boiler full of water, but now I lifted it with ease, under the excitement of the moment. I was close behind Ford; and we did our best to make every gill of water count. “We’ve got the best of the fire!” he exclaimed as he brushed the perspiration from his face. “Two more pails and it will be drowned out completely.” While he was gone I made a minute examination, to see that no sparks were lodged where they could do harm. All such I knocked out with my wet coat. When Ford returned, he also went over the ground; and both of us declared the fire was out. “And I never thought we could do it,” he panted. “Rube, you deserve credit!” “Not a bit more than you, Dan. But it was tough work. Let us get out into the fresh air.”