He did not feel Merriwell's weight--in fact, his strength seemed to be as great as Browning's.
"Frank!" he cried, in his heart--"Frank, my dearest friend, if I can't carry you out, we'll die together!" The fire in the stairway had greatly increased.

But Hodge did not hesitate.

Wrapping the blanket closer about Merriwell and himself, he rushed, with seeming recklessness, but with a boldness that was really the highest form of courage, into that raging cauldron of fire, and descended with the steady celerity of one who sees every foot of the way and has no thrill of fear.
The blanket crisped and cracked and smoked into flame as the fiery waves beat against it.

Bart seemed to be breathing liquid flame.

But the thick bulk of the blanket shielding Merriwell's face and hands kept them from the searing fire.
Half-fainting, but victorious, Bart Hodge reeled out of the hotel, bearing Merriwell in his arms.