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. A great cheer went up from the excited
crowd, for, somehow, the information had spread that a daring attempt to
rescue a friend was being made by one of the college students.
Merriwell's flock dived through the thick smoke and carried both Hodge
and Merriwell to a place of security. And even as they did so the
tottering side wall, that had so long been swaying, fell, and the shell
of the burning hotel collapsed like a house of cards.
* * * * *
The next morning Danny Griswold bounced into Merriwell's room. Hodge was
there. He and Frank were talking about the fire and congratulating
themselves that neither had received bad burns and that Merry's injury
was not serious.
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