The fire burst out of the woods at three different points.

All worked with a will to stop it by cutting traces.

But the wind was wild; burning masses from the tree-tops were hurled far among the canes, and all was lost.

The canes burnt like shavings, exploding with a perpetual crackle at each joint.

In a few hours the whole estate--works, coolie barracks, negro huts--was black ash; and the house only, by extreme exertion, saved.