Carnine was still in the burning barn asleep, and there was no leader to give command to the dazed guards.

Ward and Bemis ran up, motioning the men back, and Ward cried, "Shall we help you save your stock and barn, or must we fight ?" It was addressed to the crowd, but before they could answer, Dolan stumbled out of the barn through the smoke and flames crying, "Boys,--boys,--I can't find him." He saw the rescuing party and shouted, "Boys,--Gabe's in there asleep and I can't find him." The wind had suddenly veered, and the crackling flames had reached the straw roof of the barn.

The fire was gaining headway, and the three buckets that were coming from the well had no effect on it.

As the last horse was pulled out of the door, one side of the straw wall of the barn fell away on fire and showed Gabriel Carnine sleeping not ten feet from the flames.

Lige Bemis soused his handkerchief in water, tied it over his mouth, and ran in.