"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.