"I'm a dreadfully unfortunate man, Miss Knick----" "_Fire_!" A frightful cry in such a place as that! Something flashed up brightly--I saw flames about something in the ring--the crowd arose from the benches--women screamed--men yelled.
"Sit still, Flora!" I heard young Knickerbocker say, sternly.
I thought of a million things in the thousandth part of a second--of the flaming canvas, the deadly crush, the wild beasts, terrified and breaking from their cages.

It was folly, it was madness, to linger a moment in hopes of the fire being subdued.

I looked toward the entrance--it was not far from us; a few people were going quickly out.
I was stronger than her brother; I could fight my way through any crowd with that slight form held in one arm.
"_Fire_!" I dallied with fate no longer.

Grasping Flora by her slender waist, I dragged her from her seat, and hurried her along through the thickening throng.

When she could no longer keep her feet.